Can mom see her babies now?

[vistajpdf]

Hi all,

My mother C. orientalis hasn't been with her babies since she laid them as we rescued all eggs we saw. It's been a year plus a few months since the first larvae appeared and, at last, several have returned to the water. I have others still clinging to the land areas, but a few are happily in the water full time and eating blackworms well. My question is this: Can they now be back with their mother without fear of her eating them? They're close to 6 cm.

I've just bought a 55 gallon tank and am expanding my sons' wildlife club into wildlife/conservation camps during the holidays and when school is out, so I'd love to have them on exhibit to raise awareness for the species. I can leave the mother in her 10 gallon as I presume that most of my 50 juveniles will soon return to the water and I will still have a nice exhibit.

I do have concerns about the babies inbreeding - should I? I also may still be willing to rehome some to fellow hobbyists, though we're feeling a little more attached to them since their father's passing...may he rest in peace.

Dana

 

[Jennewt]

I think they are in no danger of being eaten by mom. However, I have found that when I return juveniles to the adult tank, there is a risk that some of them won't eat as well. The adult(s) are generally better at gobbling up the food. With only one adult, this is not a big problem.

Inbreeding in newts rarely causes any problems. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[JWERNER]

I wouldnt worry about it but I hope your not doing it with some sort of maternal bond in mind. They could care less.:happy:

I would be worried about the food also. Not cause of the adults but cause of so much competition period. If it was me I would split them up into smaller groups. Keep the cleanest best ones in the 55 for display and house the rest in cheap sterilite storage box's.

 

[vistajpdf]

LOL about the bond...no, no ideas about that. I assumed inbreeding wasn't a problem though I will likely have to put some of them on the market. It's not really feasible to keep them all though my three sons would beg to differ.

Thanks for the advice.
Dana