Curious behaviour in Firebelly Newts

[mrbgilson]

Hi, I was watching my newts today, and generally, they kinda keep away from each other, but today, two were sort of hanging out, and one was flicking its tail really quickly in front of the other. Is this breeding behaviour?

 

[Niels D]

Yes. That's probably the male fanning it's tale to spreads it's pheromones in the direction of the female trying to court her. When this is successful, he will deposit a spermatophore and he will try to guide the female over it, so the spermatophore will be absorbed by her cloaca. Get ready, because there's a good chance that you will be finding eggs.

 

[Newthanial]

Yes. That's probably the male fanning it's tale to spreads it's pheromones in the direction of the female trying to court her. When this is successful, he will deposit a spermatophore and he will try to guide the female over it, so the spermatophore will be absorbed by her cloaca. Get ready, because there's a good chance that you will be finding eggs.

Do firebellys brumate? Should I keep mine in the basement or do bring them up stairs for our colder northern state winter. I thought I heard a slightly warmer water change can initiate breeding is that true?

 

[JM29]

Do firebellys brumate? Should I keep mine in the basement or do bring them up stairs for our colder northern state winter. I thought I heard a slightly warmer water change can initiate breeding is that true?

Difficult to answer.
I read in an article that a colder period triggers breeding, but not lower than 10°C.
But some observe breeding without this.
This year, I had fertile firebellies eggs during july-august ; they were kept indoors and temperature never fell under 14°C.
I'm raising a few larvae now.

 

[Newthanial]

Difficult to answer.
I read in an article that a colder period triggers breeding, but not lower than 10°C.
But some observe breeding without this.
This year, I had fertile firebellies eggs during july-august ; they were kept indoors and temperature never fell under 14°C.
I'm raising a few larvae now.

Very interesting I think my fb are either same sex or a season or 2 too young to be breeding this year but last year one was doing the tail fan to the other and I thought that this winter/spring would be the year but not so much. I see a small slit on one belly but almost nothing on the other. Do you know if they are sexable yet?

 

[Niels D]

I'm terrible at telling the genders apart from pictures, but I've seen courtship behaviour with animals younger than 2 years. You don't need to really brumate the animals other than the natural cooling down in your house during winter time if you live in a seasonal climate. The sunlight cycle (if it's a room with a window) helps as well probably (shortening of the day etc). I don't think the air pressure outside is as important as it is with some of the other species, but I'm not sure about that.