Strange shedding behaviour in P. Chinensis

firedreams

firedreams

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Hi,

My adult male P. Chinensis just shed his skin, and I observed some strange behaviour that I have never witnessed before. Before the major shedding action began, he suddenly tensed all of the muscles in his body, rolled over 20 degrees or so, and then froze for several seconds, almost as though he were having a seizure. He did this twice, for periods of about 20-30s, then proceeded to shed as normal. I have seen him shed many times in the past, and he has never done this, so I was rather alarmed. Can anyone advise? Pictures of the "seizure posture" attached.
 

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All newts do this, it´s absolutely normal. You probably just missed it the other times.
They do it to loosen up the skin of the upper body so that the process can start. It can be accompanied of yawning.
 
What a relief! Thanks, Azhael! He always yawns before he sheds, but this was a surprise. Glad to hear everything's ok!
 
My Chinensis hasn't "seizured" while shedding either, but as Azhael said, maybe I just haven't seen it.

I'm glad to know that if I do witness this, I don't have to panic. lol.
 
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