Smooth Newt

[Star]

Hey I'm just wondering if anyone has a car sheet or care advice for a smooth newt at all?

 

[Jennewt]

The only caresheet I know of would be Caleb Leeke's
Triturus
but it's a general one for all Triturus and former-Triturus.

The smooth newt is primarily aquatic, at least in adulthood, and needs "standard" care as would be typical for any small newt. Some of the other caresheets on Caudata Culture would be worth reading, such as the ones for crested newts and even for firebelly newts (similar size).

 

[Star]

thanks

 

[caleb]

The 'Triturus' site is now here at
caudata.org/triturus
I understand that urodela.co.uk will be retired soonish.

For once, I'm going to have to disagree with Jen- in my experience, smooth newts are very terrestrial outside the breeding season, and absolutely cannot be convinced to stay in the water once they've decided they want to leave.

I only have experience with UK animals, though- I think some of the southern subspecies are more aquatic.

It is reasonably easy to keep them terrestrially- just keep them on slightly moist soil/potting compost or tissue paper, and give them some moss to hide under. As Jen said, aquatic care is much the same as for any other small newt- they just need to be transferred to a terrestrial setup when they leave the water.

Dave Billings wrote a very detailed piece on keeping smooth newts in the 1980s, I can scan this for anyone who's interested (send a PM).

 

[Jennewt]

The 'Triturus' site is now here at
caudata.org/triturus
I understand that urodela.co.uk will be retired soonish.

Wow, how did I not know about this!

For once, I'm going to have to disagree with Jen- in my experience, smooth newts are very terrestrial outside the breeding season, and absolutely cannot be convinced to stay in the water once they've decided they want to leave.

I only have experience with UK animals, though- I think some of the southern subspecies are more aquatic.

It is reasonably easy to keep them terrestrially- just keep them on slightly moist soil/potting compost or tissue paper, and give them some moss to hide under. As Jen said, aquatic care is much the same as for any other small newt- they just need to be transferred to a terrestrial setup when they leave the water.

Dave Billings wrote a very detailed piece on keeping smooth newts in the 1980s, I can scan this for anyone who's interested (send a PM).

My experience with them is very limited. Thanks, Caleb.

 

[Star]

Ooh thanks for that I'll be sending a pm in a mo I've got a spare viv at home so was thinking of doing a terrestrial set up with a large ish tupperware tub full of water for her. She's currently in a temp set up with an inch of water in the tank and a little tub of moist soil. Can't currently get her to eat though Will be brushing up my knowledge with those links