HELP!! Cage Too SMALL!!!

[joan]

A lot of animals refuse to feed on compost worms because they taste bad. Go to the local bait shop and pick up some nightcrawlers/earthworms/canadian nightcrawlers/european nightcrawlers (they're all basically the same). You will have to cut them into smaller pieces, and then drop the pieces in front of the newt. Most new animals are pretty shy, and won't eat from your hand. But once they realize that you are "The Foodgiver", they'll eat right from your hand.

Adult C.o. (which are what are bought at pet shops) are usually too big for daphnia. I suggest trying the earthworms first. You can even dig them from your yard as long as you don't use any pesticides or fertilizers.

 

[james]

If you do a google images search for 'daphnia', you will find plenty of pictures. They are really tiny and look a lot like fleas. Most tend to be red in colour. Daphnia forms a major part in the diet of wild C.O's so you can't go wrong with them.

 

[chelsea]

<font color="0077aa"><font size="+1">my newt is a juvenile. i was planning on getting compost worms because it was recomended by http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/Amphibiary/frogfood2.html#10 </font></font>

 

[joan]

Just fair warning that they may not eat them. Nightcrawlers are easily found and cheap. I wouldn't bother with the compost worms.

 

[chelsea]

<font color="0077aa"><font size="+1">thanks 4 the info</font></font>

 

[mark]

This "compost worm" issue is quite confusing. I purchase what are called "reds" from my local bait shop. Being called "reds" you'd think they were the distasteful Eisenia fetida but in fact they are a form of Dendrobaena which are greedily eaten by my newts. The terms "compost worms" and "reds" seem to apply to any worm that is used commercially for composting and has a red colour. It's worth checking what your bait shop stock in my opinion.

 

[chelsea]

<font color="0077aa"><font size="+1">thanks mark.</font></font>

 

[kathryn]

Hello, there. My name is Kathryn, and I have a few questions regarding newts. I'm a 20 year old college student who, admittedly, for the past ten years, has wanted a pair of these little creatures. Who wouldn't?!?!

In perusing over some of your latest posts, I see that a larger, 10-gallons tank is most desirable; however, I remember my childhood friend having a newt, keeping him happily in a little plastic tank with colored lid. I'd love to raise a newt this way, as coming to and from school with a 10-gallon tank would not exactly be, well, easy. Although Chelsea's story is not very uplifting, as her newt seems to have a mild case of depression (if that's what newts get), do some people find success with smaller, plastic cages? Maybe I'm way off in left field here, but perhaps being with a friend might help him.

So, would I be crazy to buy two newts, a plastic container, and a bulk of nighcrawlers? Let me know.
}

 

[justin]

Newts are not social creatures so they dont need a "friend". Also, once newts become more aquatic they require about a 10 gallon tank otherwise it gets hard for them to move around. I would suggest even at least a 5 gallon tank and just put one newt in there (that is cutting it a little small).

 

[chelsea]

<font color="0077aa"><font size="+1">I GOT IT, THE TEN GAL TANK IS MINE. I am sorry to say that my sisters newt was dead before i got the tank but she just didnt take care of it. I wish that i knew sooner so i could have prevented its death. Mine however is thriving in its new home. One more question. Could i house a jfb with my cfb?</font></font>

 

[jennifer]

Chelsea, where would you get a JFB? They are very rarely available. But lots of pet shops are still mis-labeling their CFB as "Japanese".

 

[lindsay]

Kathryn B: Heya! I'm a college student, too. I just got 2 T. grans about a month ago. I love them to death! I'm actually lugging a 10 gallon with me to school in the fall. It won't be fun, taking their own water in gallon jugs and making sure I have air conditioning for them, but it's well worth it. Since newts can go a few days without eating, I will only need to bring them home at Christmas Break and when I come back in the summer. I am really glad I get to bring pets with me to school, like these guys. As I'm new to amphibians, I can only say so much, but I would really not buy a newt(s) and keep them in a plastic container. From having newts for only a month now,I just can't imagine how terrible that would be for them, even small newts like C.o. I would highly recommend you getting a newt or two but only if you can provide a proper housing environment. They're lots of fun.

~Lindsay

 

[katie]

I am lugging a ten gallon to school with me too. I am getting air conditioning in my room for the little guys, and its nice for me too!! I def. would not put them in a small setup. I had a few sals in the winter last year in a 10 gallon, it wasnt too bad moving in and out, since i only had to do it once , they did fine when i went home for the weekend. Good luck with them!!!

 

[katie]

Chelsea, make sure you have a tight lid on the 10 gallon. It can't have any holes in it or he WILL get out, expert little climbers! good luck. I dont know if you can find blackworms at pet stores in your area, but thats what mine eat and they like it.