T. Granulosa black spots and shedding

[jonathan]

As discussed in this thread black spots sometimes appear on the back prior to shedding and they seem to disappear with the shed skin. My newt developed some black spots on the orange of his tail and lower abdomen, but only on the underside, and they disappeared when he shed. They've just started to reappear on the tail and so I'm hoping to take pics as they progress.

(Message edited by jcb118 on November 08, 2006)

 

[jonathan]

heh. He shed tonight just when I was about to take pics of the spots on his tail.

 

[jonathan]

caught him shedding yesterday so here are some pics and a video.
contorting to loosen the skin

shedding starts at the mouth

peeling the skin with his back leg

using his mouth to pull the skin

video of him pulling the skin off with his mouth and then starting to eat it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXFHOBjHjPE

 

[john]

Mine shed the exact same way. It is interesting to watch as I have three and they behave slightly differently. One seems to just do it like a chore, and the other two seem to view it like a carnival ride. They spin and swim and thrash around. When its over they eat the skin and move on with the day.

 

[Tadpole]

That's how my female granulosa is----she'll get black spots (although more on her stomach than just on the tail), and they tend to disappear with the shed----what's up with that, anyway? Why do the spots appear? It always kind of concerns me:uhoh:

 

[Tadpole]

And sure enough, she shed yesterday and the spots are gone?! That is very strange. Maybe they are "age spots" of sorts?

 

[Kaysie]

I think this is inherent with all Taricha, as my herd does it as well.