Question: Newt Obesity: How "Plump" Is Bad?

[sde]

So I looked around for my answer but I didn't find anything that I thought answered my question. Now I know this has already been answered for axolotls but I didn't find anything for newts.

So my question is,

How fat is considered obese in newts ( mine are T. Granulosa )?
I read that if a axolotls stomach is wider than its head it is to big, is this true for newts too? I don't want them to fat, though I love a fat newt . I feed my newt earthworms. I have a female that is getting, well, lets just say plump. And if a newt is too "plump" what are the consequences? :happy: -Seth

 

[AeonMapa]

It's possible that they are getting gravid, (full of eggs) if you are noticing this mostly with your females. As long as the newts are only plump in their lower bodies, with no disproportions from their forelegs up, then they are probably gravid. if you start to see double chins, and chubby arms, they are fat. And if they are turning into balloons you might want to consider they have bloat. But most probably just getting gravid

 

[sde]

Ok well I wish you were right!

My female that is the fattest got fat after I fed here and I found here yet a week ago.

She definitely is not gravid because she is in terrestrial stage, these need to breed in aquatic conditions, which I have not put them in yet. So is there any guidelines for telling how to tell if it is to "plump"?

 

[Mortimer]

Can you post a picture? I think that that would be helpful.

 

[sde]

Ok I think you guys are misunderstanding me :happy:.

I AM NOT WORRIED THAT MY individual is obese but I would like to know if there is a way to tell/measure or something, so that if she continues getting "plumper" I can cut down on here diet. This Is all I am asking, I read that for lotls it is if there belly is wider than there head they are to big. Newts are a totally different kind of Caudate so I think it would be different for them. That is what I am asking. :happy:

 

[Jennewt]

I've never heard of any kind of guidelines or measurement you could take. I don't necessarily believe the "if the belly is wider than the head" thing for axolotls. Which part of the head? I've seen gravid axolotls that had a belly fatter than the head.

In my opinion, it would be a good idea to give a granulosa access to a water area, particularly if she might be gravid.

A photo would provide additional information - there may be factors you hadn't noticed, such as the appearance of the skin, or the location of the plumpness, that might give clues.

Personally, I don't worry about obesity in caudates. Unless you are feeding them mice, or feeding them every day, it's not really an issue, in my experience. Just feed her as much worms as she wants every 2-3 days.

 

[sde]

Ok,

Thank you for the info Jennewt. I feed them chopped earthworms, about every other day.

I highly doubt that she is gravid because: When I found her she was going toward the breeding grounds. She is in a terrestrial phase as far as I can see, plus she has not been in water since I got her. Also, the breeding season here is in spring so I doubt she would have bred this early. And she got a lot "plumper" in the course of one night, I am guessing because of the food I gave her, she is a bit of a food hog as well.

I have a mostly aquatic tank cycling, but, unfortunately it is not going to be ready for a few weeks. Is it possible I could put them in a temporary mostly aquatic setup without cycling?

Thank you all for your replies, It is much appreciated!

 

[AeonMapa]

Yes you can put them in a non-cycled sem-aquatic environment but make sure it has a lot of live plants and an easy exit point for the newts. The reason newts can be put in a non- cycled tank is because they have the option to leave it for land, something fish don't. Of course if you will be keeping a water area in with them, I would suggest putting an airstone in to promote beneficial bacteria growth as well as a lot of live plants. You could also keep an unfiltered area, just make sure to change the water often

 

[sde]

Thank you!!! :grin: