Confusion - T.marmoratus setup

[wargar]

On reading several care sheets on Triturus Marmoratus I'm a bit confused. Some are saying a 50/50 land to water split and others are saying aquatic with some islands or cork bark. What is the best way most owners have found to keep theirs happy and healthy?

Thanks.

 

[Mark]

Triturus marmoratus have terrestrial and aquatic phases. In some cases it’s possible to keep them aquatic all year round but it depends on the individual newts and how you keep them. If you plan to give them seasonal temperature variation such as they would experience in the wild they’ll require two distinct phases. I give mine a semi-aquatic setup during the winter and spring and move them to a terrestrial set-up for the summer and autumn. Some of my individuals are very reluctant to take to the water so I’d personally never use a floating cork island option.