A
alexandra
Guest
Does anyone know how often newts shed on an average? I read that newts shed for different reasons, e.g. change in environment, stress factors, natural causes, etc.
I adopted Izzie (T.granulosa) two months ago and he has already shed three times. When I took him in he lived in a tiny tank with only 2 inches of water (I have been told that this species prefers deeper waters up to 15 cm). Izzie is about 12 years old and he might have lived his entire life in a very confined space. He now lives in a much larger tank (it is about 28" long and 12" wide) and I have slowly raised his water level and it is now up to about 8 cm. I set up a couple of land areas but he seems to prefer the water. Izzie had very smooth skin when I first got him and he didn't submerge, just paddled along on the surface. I was wondering if he really was a rough skinned newt. I was relieved when a senior forum member responded to my question about Izzie not being able to submerge. He suggested that Izzie is going through an adjustment period, developing thicker skin which will eventually allow him to submerge. Izzie's skin has gotten a lot more rough and he has gained some weight and seems to be much more active. (BTW, I call him Izzie from 'izzie dead?' because when I first adopted him he barely ever moved) Today he submerged fully for the first time! But I was wondering if shedding three times in two months is unusual and if I should be concerned.
I also have a question about water hardness. I have been using spring water to exchange about 1/3 of his water once a week, but the water test always comes out around 300ppm. I read up on water quality on this site but didn't see anything in regards to water hardness. What should it be and how can I bring it down if necessary?
I adopted Izzie (T.granulosa) two months ago and he has already shed three times. When I took him in he lived in a tiny tank with only 2 inches of water (I have been told that this species prefers deeper waters up to 15 cm). Izzie is about 12 years old and he might have lived his entire life in a very confined space. He now lives in a much larger tank (it is about 28" long and 12" wide) and I have slowly raised his water level and it is now up to about 8 cm. I set up a couple of land areas but he seems to prefer the water. Izzie had very smooth skin when I first got him and he didn't submerge, just paddled along on the surface. I was wondering if he really was a rough skinned newt. I was relieved when a senior forum member responded to my question about Izzie not being able to submerge. He suggested that Izzie is going through an adjustment period, developing thicker skin which will eventually allow him to submerge. Izzie's skin has gotten a lot more rough and he has gained some weight and seems to be much more active. (BTW, I call him Izzie from 'izzie dead?' because when I first adopted him he barely ever moved) Today he submerged fully for the first time! But I was wondering if shedding three times in two months is unusual and if I should be concerned.
I also have a question about water hardness. I have been using spring water to exchange about 1/3 of his water once a week, but the water test always comes out around 300ppm. I read up on water quality on this site but didn't see anything in regards to water hardness. What should it be and how can I bring it down if necessary?