Calotriton asper...

[futura2000]

I was just wondering if anyone out there keeps Calotriton Asper, although fairly bland this is a species which i'd love to know more about as there seems to be very little information on it ie- if its ever available as a captive, whether it makes a good captive and its care requirements.

Thanks, Dean.

 

[Mark]

I keep a small group. They're beautiful newts and make excellent captives. Mine are about 2 years old, although I'm not convinced I have a pair at this stage. Juveniles remain terrestrial but are unfussy feeders and grow well in a simple soil/bark hides set-up. Adults become largely aquatic but will occasionally feel the urge to climb onto land for a few hours, but not for extended periods. They're well adapted for flowing water with rough black finger tips and strong tails which they use to grip stones and rocks. They become very bold, personable and full of character - always begging at the glass.

I've just re-arranged their enclosure so perhaps I'll take some shots. Their set-up consists of a square tank with slate bottom and large slate rocks piled up. The water is approx 15cm deep and a small filter provides quite vigorous water movement. Dark cracks and crevices are favoured hang out spots. They're not aggressive to one another, except during feeding, but are less gregarious than other species I keep.

If ever I breed them I'll write a care-sheet for CC, and of course make the offspring available to UK keepers. Mine are descendants from Francoise Maillet's group and purchased from Austria. They're pretty rare in captivity.

You can see a short video I made of mine here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTZ_uzoNixs

 

[futura2000]

WOW! That video really shows off how beautiful these newts are, the huge eyes and black finger tips really give them a lot of character. Thanks for all the info too, you've pretty much covered everything. This is one of those dream species for me...so if you do ever breed them keep me in mind, have they even been bred in the u.k before?

Cheers, Dean.

 

[Mark]

have they even been bred in the u.k before?

Not that I'm aware of. I don't know of anyone else who even keeps them in the UK. I can't believe I'm the only one

 

[futura2000]

That is pretty cool. Hopefully they may be more wide spread in the future!

 

[Jari B]

Mark do you have a picture that we can see the whole set up?

 

[Mark]

l'll take some shots for you.

 

[aramcheck]

Wow, great video and amazing newts. My dad's from the French Pyrennees, near Perpignan and everytime I visit my Gran, I try to see those chaps in the wild, but never managed so far... Certainly a species I would dearly love to own, but i never came across CB individuals other than your group...