T. Marmoratus, or pygmeus?

[sergé]

I would never force them to take aquatic existence. I even held them (both pygmaeus and marmoratus) for only 4 months in an aquarium and the rest of the year in a complete terrestrial way. Which is to my opinion the best way. If you leave them floating they will stop eating, get thinner and eventually die.
Pyagmaeus is more slender. There are some pictures on caudata culture.

 

[rubén]

Yes, I agree...

marmoratus are mainly terrestrial newts... some populations remain in water the whole winter and spring, in coastal regions, but over 600 m. there is hibernation ( always on land )
Pygmaeus is more aquatic: Autumn, winter and spring ( from october/november to april/may )

Try to know the natural cycles and don't force them, it's an advice ;-)

 

[terry]

Thanks for the advice Rubén and Sergé.

No I did not mean to say that I literally forced the male to be in the water. The setup was half land and water. If the male decides for himself to go into the water, he does so. But as of yesterday he stayed on land and thus I placed him back into the bigger terrarium for a good rest. I guess the only advantage of his brief aquatic visit was he managed to stock up for the coming hibernation. The female however has paid more visits to the water and she even has developed fins.

The rest of the group are happily on land and are only active at night. The question is when kept in cool temperatures( 17-18ºC) will they still remain active till autumn or winter?

 

[sergé]

Hey Terry..just reminded in the first issue of the Caudata.org magazien (somewhere on this site) is an article by me on how I kpet T. pygameus..perhaps interesting?

 

[ralf]

The latest issue of the caudata.org magazine is available for download (.pdf-file) here: http://www.caudata.org/magazine.shtml

 

[terry]

Hoi Sergé

Thank you but I have already downloaded it as I joined the forum. It is very informative. It is a pity you no longer posses the species.

If the newts I posses turn out to be marmoratus, I would probably make my way to Hamm to see if I could obtain T. pygmaeus.

 

[sergé]

Hamm? You should come to meetings specially for salamanders, like the 17th of September or to the german meeting in october. There is a german studbook for this species, so if you have time I can ask around, but I am sure there will be some CB available. If you go to Hamm you may end up as well with new 'unidentifiable flying objects'...

 

[terry]

Hahahaha!

You are right Sergé! UFOs are not what I need right now.

I am rather interested in this salamander day and I will probably make my way there on the 17th. Do I have to be a member in order to attend the Salamanderdag? I have the time to attend!

As for the German Handbook, I do not read much German but I guess I could probably get it translated. I would appreciate it if you could take the time to source out the CB. At least I know I will not be expecting ufos once more

 

[sergé]

No you don't to be a member, but as a member you get reduction. But we would appreciate if you would become a member of course!
I'll ask around for CB of T. pygmaeus for you.

 

[terry]

Just an update!

As of yesterday, one of the smaller males decided to stay in the water and this morning I saw it developing a crest. I guess it is safe to say that it is donning its breeding garb!

Sorry for the bad photo. This male is aged 2 years 10 months and measures 8.5 cm long.
This must be is a small marmoratus!

(edit)p.s. I realised that the tank distorted the resulting image and the newt looks slimmer than what it appears to be! HAHAHAHA. I'll post a better picture when the male is more developed.

(Message edited by terryschild on September 14, 2005)

 

[terry]

Here are some more shots of another male going aquatic, same age and same measurement.

Note the belly.

Another belly shot

The belly is prominently covered with white spots and the belly is pinkish/ cream coloured. The colours of the belly do not match the largest male i posted earlier eventhough they are of the same age.

Any thoughts?

 

[terry]

A little update on the more prominent aquatic male of this as of yet unknown marbled newt.

The male has been this way for more than a month and the crest is not pretty high. the total body measurement is 8.5 cm lone from nose to tail tip.

So ok, The male has gone aquatic and has been doing his courtship dance. Can anyone tell me for certain if he is pygmaeus of marmoratus?

Here is another view of the male, somewhat clearer:

So, What is he? Sergé? Rubén? Anyone?