Newts or salamanders? are they any good?

[elliot]

er... hi, im kinda new here i've been in the axolotl section alot but not very much elsewhere, a few days ago after keeping axies for about half a yearish i thought that im ready for another challenge, i was thinking in a larger more colourful speices but i cant choose and i dont really no them, um can i ask what is the best one for a beginner, im a student and not old enough to work yet but i have a medium amount of funds, can anyone point me in the right direction, i also need to no where to actually get the creature i live about a hour north of london in britian, err.. just wonder if anyone could help.

ps i wasnt too sure were to put this thread so i made me choice and it was here

 

[richard]

I think that the Fire Belly Newts, Cynops Pyrrhogaster and cynops orientalis, are rather good choices for the newt beginner. they are hardy and charismatic newts. mine survived all kinds of abuse before i learned how to properly care for it, and its still here.

as for your statement about whether newts and sals are any good, i believe every one on this site will respond with a very positive and emphatic YES!!!

 

[reid]

If your looking for large and colorful species, then fire and tiger salamanders are what you probably want.

 

[dane]

I know a lot of people say that chinese firebellies and such are good beggeners, but in my opinion terestrial salamanders are one of the best for beggeners, they dont have as many needs as an aquatic one

 

[reid]

Both fire belly newts and tiger salamanders are good for beginners. My uncle keeps chinese fire bellys and there in a tiny bowl but they have lived for about 12 years. I keep tiger salamanders. I also suggest an axolotl, their fairly easy to keep, as long as you can keep their tank clean and have plenty of food for them.

 

[roy]

Firebellies are a good option but be sure they are captive bred and not wild caught.

 

[kara]

newts and salaanders are, in my opinion, a GREAT pet.

 

[patrick]

I had a Japanese firebelly (C. pyrrhogaster) for 8 years as a child and new nothing about how to care for it. Just goes to show how robust they are. Of course, with this website you can really learn how to take care of them and people talk about having 20 yr. old newts I think thats amazing.

I would agree about getting captive bred though, I recently bought two Chinese firebellies (C. orientalis) from a pet store and both died within a week.

I saw on this website that Jennifer Macke is selling Cynops ensicauda popei juveniles. They are quite large and in my opinion very colorful and beautiful. I would get some myself if I had room.

 

[elliot]

er... thanks for your oppinions but hate to say no one has like given me any information i was looking for except the speicies, does anyone no any detail information? i no this is a wrong site but has anyone heard of bearded dragons, i was looking at them and they look extremely attractive, (except the cost and well not too attractive to my parents) yeah so i was wondering which is better?

 

[joan]

http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/species.shtml

Beardies are nice, but require a little more upkeep, diet and temperature wise.

 

[kara]

Elliot,
You can obtain specific species information on caudata culture. You also asked what the best species for a beginner would be, everyone on this post has made great suggestions.

 

[reid]

To me tiger salamanders are easier to take care of