T. marmoratus pig pile

[jeff]

A little bit of holiday fun for you all, I did not put these guys up to this, just had my camera ready at the right time.

 

[dawn]

They are the perfect coloration for Christmas newts!

 

[rodrigo]

Amazing looking critters!!
Can´t wait to take pics of my own when they arrive...

They really look great.

 

[pin-pin]

Nice animals Jeff, glad to see they are doing well.

The coloration of T. Marmoratus, especially as juveniles, is really striking.

 

[peter]

These marms have similar patterning to mine.If you don't mind me asking who did you get yours from.
Pete

 

[rebekka]

beautiful!

they are so cute!!!

 

[jeff]

Thanks everyone, I am very happy with them.

 

[jeff]

So here they go again, this time under a cave like rock. Thats every single one too, all in one tightly packed nugget.

 

[coen]

They look very well, what do you feed them?

 

[dawn]

I have noticed this "piling behavior" (that's what I call it) in my newts (Eastern newts, Firebellies). Does anyone know if there is a technical term or reason for it? Do most species of newts do it? (In humans, they're called "puppy piles.")

 

[coen]

I know the behaviour is normally called "gregarious". Maybe it's something that helps them prevent freezing in the winter? Just throwing a suggestion here, maybe someone knows more about this behaviour. I'm sure there's a reason for it.

 

[joseph]

I think since the land area appears to be rock this is a way to slow moisture loss. I doubt it occurs in the wild much. Great photos!

(Message edited by fishkeeper on January 02, 2007)

 

[rodrigo]

Gregariousnes is often a strategy of defence. Maybe morphs have this behaviour because if for example, a small snake finds their hide it will eat one..or a couple...but maybe not all. If there were only one morph in that hide it would be eaten...but hiding together the % of being the one the snake eats is smaller.
Or maybe they do this just because there´s no more hiding places xD
who knows...