I am looking...

[john]

Heya pplz,

I am looking into trying to get some kind of triturus. I was wondering what you think is the best sub-species. Or what do you like best? Any comments are helpful.

~John

 

[garrison]

I can't make any recommendations as I just started with them myself, but I would recommend posting this in the wanted/saught section and seeing what that leads you to.

 

[sergé]

It all depends on what you can offer them. The Crested newt species are the easiest to keep and breed. I would say; read all the care sheets on caudata culture and other sites and see if you can meet to the requirements.
Succes!

 

[TJ]

I'm biased towards T. marmoratus because it's undeniably one of the most beautiful newts around. Serg knows much more than I do about Triturus, but in my own experience, marbled newts are hardier captives than crested newts. And if it's crests you're after, male T. marmoraratus develop crests too. Plus they have great appetites.

Then again, is T. marmoratus considered to be a "crested newt"?

I'd really recommend seeking out captive-bred ones as there are a number of people breeding this species as well as other Triturus

(Message edited by tj on December 01, 2005)

 

[john]

Yes. i would love a marbled newt. it was the first newt i ever saw. But sadly many people do not want to give any away..

Yes I have gone through the care sheets many times. Also I have looked them up on other sites. Even though Cc has much more information.

~John

 

[jennifer]

Marmoratus are the most colorful, but not the hardiest. There have been for-sale ads recently for both karelinii and dobrogicus. Both of those are great species.

 

[alan]

Don't forget Mesotriton (Triturus) alpestris apuanus:

 

[simon]

Nice pic Alan. That sure is fine looking newt. I do like alpestris and it's probably what i would go for

 

[john]

Thanx all..

~John

 

[joseph]

Alan: You consider alpestris hardy? I always thought that this was a delicate species with a strict requirement for cold temperatures.

Karelinii have done well for me, and since they are only my second newt I think they have to be pretty hardy. Someone with experience on dobrogicus spill the beans on what you think of them.

 

[alan]

You're right, they are very hardy if kept within the correct temperature range. Mine sometimes get up to 25C during summer heatwaves, so they are maybe a little hardier than we give them credit for. 20C most of the summer, 10-15C over the winter. They may not be a good candidate for a heated bedroom, but will do fine if you have a cooler spot somewhere.

 

[leonardo]

I agree with Alan about the temperatures for alpestris, but I do think this can be true only for Mesotriton alpestris apuanus, as the other subspecies seem to be much more sensible to those summer hot-waves...and even apuanus can tolerate them only for short periods, at least in my experience...

 

[jennifer]

I've been surprised how un-delicate alpestris are! There are some challenges due to their small size. The larvae are incredibly tiny. Like the crested newts, they are assertive eaters, the differences being that they need smaller food and don't grow as ridiculously fast.