Does my CFBN need a tank-mate?

[brainlady]

:rofl:
Just learning how to take care of my Newt. I have the food sort of sorted out..... I am going to cut up my first worm tomorrow.
My next question is whether or not my Newt (Nibby) needs to have another Newt in the tank with him for company?. I do not want any baby Newts but I am worried he will feel along.
I am so used to keeping fish.... this amphibian business makes me feel like such a newbie. :frog::frog::frog:

 

[Kaysie]

Newts and salamanders don't have feelings like we do. Nor are they normally social. So no, Nibby doesn't need a tank mate to live 'happily'.

 

[Azhael]

As Kaysie says, it´s not required at all. If you decide to get more, though, please consider the fact that all pet-shop newts are WC and that by purchasing them you are promoting further mass collection of these poor guys. Also know that any new acquisition will require quarantine.

Don´t feel bad for him being alone, though, if you have no intention of breding, then there really is no reason why you´d need more than one newt, they don´t care.

 

[brainlady]

I did not know that they are WC. I do now, after doing some research. This knowledge makes me feel very guilty, I had no idea how many amphibians are captured and brought here and how many die en route.
I will not get another Newt. I am thoroughly enjoying Nibby, although I remain very concerned about the other Newts at the LFS. I have already called them twice to offer some friendly, non judgmental advice on how to keep their Newts. The information they gave me would probably have killed him by now.
Thank you, all this is really helping me a lot.

 

[Azhael]

Many of us go through exactly the same. I think it´s a good thing, though, since living in ignorance is hardly the best, hehe.
Don´t feel guilty, though, you didn´t know. Now that you do, you know that your little newt deserves the very best after what it´s been through. There are a few people breeding this species in the US, so in the future, when you have more experience, you can always try and get some captive-bred ones.

The situation of the remaining newts at the shop is complicated. Our instinct is usually to try and rescue them, but that actually creates more problems because the shop will simply order a new batch, which means, more poor newts being condemned to the same process. It´s very hard to stay away and not do anything, but i personally think it´s best. If nobody buys the newts, the shop won´t order them anymore. Sure, it will most likely mean that those poor newts are sentenced, but in the long run, it saves many other lives.
I think it´s wonderful that you are trying to inform the owners, but sadly, it´s unlikely they´ll even listen. Mind you, i hope they do! I tried a few times with a local shop here, but to no avail.