Alpine Newts

[jbmac]

I have three alpine newts. I thought i had one male and two females until today, because when i fed them some frozen bloodworm i noticed that one of the newts which i thought was a female was doing some 'tail flicking', which i thought only males do(during courtship). Am i right in thinking that only males do the 'tail flicking'?

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[chris]

Females will also do some tail fanning. I`m not sure why, but I have seen one of my females do it several times.

 

[paris]

tail fanning is a means of spreading scent towards another newt -its the rapid tail fanning that is associated with breeding behaviour. i have observed tail fanning in females especially in pachytritons since they come from nutrient poor environs they will compete alot for prime spots and it is a way of alerting intruders to their position and sometimes claim to the territory.(intruders will do this too-so it is a common means of communication). i have also observed this in female cynops ensicauda, triturus vulgaris, paramesotritons and similar 'semi-agressive' species. there is always the possibility of 'gay' newts too, just like geckos raised at wrong temps the outer animal can be one gender but the brain can be another. most likely if its just an occasional casual waving of the tail its just communicating to its tankmate.

 

[jacob]

I think you are right. The newts get "excited" when i feed them usually and can often be quite vigorous to each other. This was when the female did the tail fanning; probably to show the others of its presence.