Newt turning grey

[HeatherS]

Our "fire-bellied" newt has been with us for 2 months. In the last week we've noticed that his dark black color is turning more grey. Is he sick?

 

[vistajpdf]

Hi there. I don't believe the color change alone would indicate an illness. I've heard they do this sometimes for unknown reasons. If he's eating well, in the proper temperature, and otherwise seems fine, I wouldn't worry. I'm rather new here and I'm sure some of the more experienced members will correct me if I'm wrong.

Good luck,
Dana

 

[Otterwoman]

That's correct; firebellies' color will vary from darker to lighter.

 

[Jennewt]

That's correct; firebellies' color will vary from darker to lighter.

And they can change over time.

Is the newt still eating normally and otherwise looks OK?

 

[Melanie]

If the grey areas were fluffy like fungus spores then I would worry. But sounds like it is just maturing and changing color. I have one "fire belly" that is quite grey and patchy. It is a male and can often go fairly blue/ grey and a bit of purple which is its breeding dress. Do you know if your newt is a male? Also, do you know if it is juvenile or reached adulthood?

 

[TLaw]

My first newt, a male, was black when I got him and is still black, but my second newt, a female, was kind of brown when I first got her, now she's more grey. I was wondering about the color change too.

 

[HeatherS]

Thank you for your responses. Our newt appears to be eating normally. He/she is young so has grown a lot in the last three months. Perhaps maturation is what is causing the color to change a bit. How can you tell if your newt is male or female????

 

[supergrappler]

I had a firebelly as a kid. She would turn greyish when she was about to shed.

 

[missvelika]

My experiance is that they change colour before a shed

 

[Critter Mom]

Thank you for your responses. Our newt appears to be eating normally. He/she is young so has grown a lot in the last three months. Perhaps maturation is what is causing the color to change a bit. How can you tell if your newt is male or female????

There is actually a sheet around here somewhere about the differences between Chinese firebelly newt (C. Orientalis) and Japanese firebelly newt (C. Pyrroghaster), and I don't remember if it was on the same page or a different one, but there is a page on how to tell the differences between male and female of your species too. I hope someone finds the link and puts it here. I KNOW it's on this site!

Hope that helps,
Critter Mom