Terrestrial Fire belly

[Nathanal6]

I got a question I have had 2 Chinese fire belly's for 1 month now, one is completely aquatic, and the other is primarily Terrestrial, not the Terrestrial one will dip his body into the water and lay in wetter areas, but not stay in the watercompletely, swims frantically back to land when I place it in water. She, or he, eats from my tweezers great. The question is should I move it to a forced aquatic home for a while, or wait. it seems there is the rare case of terrestrial CFB, so...thought I would ask.

Another thought I wanted ask, different subject, are newts considered social animals, because I would swear the other newts want to get the Terrestrial one the water.

thanks.

 

[Molch]

newts aren't really social - they may get together under a hide-out occasionally, but mostly it's every man/woman for themselves in the newt world, except at breeding time. Wha are your other newts doing to "get him into the water?"

Don't force your fire belly into the water. He might still be a young animal; they may have a terrestrial phase before returning to the water. Also, animals that were stressed and came from pet shops often will stay on land for a while. Read the species caresheet for fire bellies on this site; esp. the paragraph under "housing" which describes terrestrial behavior.

http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Cynops/C_orientalis.shtml

Make sure to provide a place to hide on the land so he'll be comfortable, and that he can easily climb out of the water should he ever fall in.

As long as he's healthy and eating, I wouldn't worry; he'll let you know when he's ready for water

 

[Jennewt]

If the newt is willing to "sit in wet areas", then I suspect it will go into the water on its own eventually. After you've had it long enough that it's looking nice and plump, you could gradually make its land area smaller or a bit less comfortable, but I wouldn't do that until you've had it for several months. It may be more likely to take to the water in cooler weather.

 

[Nathanal6]

Thanks, I was planning on waiting to do anything, but thought I would ask to see what more experience folk thought. I have checked the care sheet multiple time, there is no specific time given, just that it may happen.

I have noticed that the aquatic newt will be in the water below the land area, and once on the same land area as the terrestrial newt, just seems like he/she is waiting for the other newt to get in.