Newts mating for a month?!

[grace]

I have had two red bellied newts for several years. One month ago, they apparently started mating. The male will not leave the female alone. She has a "bald" spot on the top of her head where he rubs his chin. I'm worried about her; she seems to try to get away at times, but mostly just sits there and is inactive when he does leave her alone. I would appreciate any suggestions!

 

[ali]

I don't know much about this specific species, but I would separate them if she seems to be in distress.

 

[jennifer]

I'm trying in vain to figure out what red-bellied species has a mating ritual that would rub a spot on the female's head. It would be very helpful if you could tell us what kind of newt it is:

http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/firebelly.shtml

There is a species called red bellied, but they are not common in captivity:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Taricha/T_rivularis.shtml

If the male is harassing her that much, I'd strongly recommend separating them. There have been cases in red-spotted newts where a female has been killed by too much male attention. Unlike the wild, in a tank she doesn't have much space to retreat.

(Message edited by jennewt on January 25, 2006)

 

[joan]

When I purchased my last T. granulosa to finish out the breeding group, they had them labeled as 'orange bellied newts'. I would guess that they're the same thing, due to the breeding display (male rubbing chin on female's nose).

I concur with everyone else, separation would be the best thing.

 

[grace]

Thank you all very much. I will separate them and hope for the best!