Throat Pulsations

[sebastian]

Hi everyone! Well, I have a question concerning a possible stress indication with my 3 Cynops Pyrrhogasters. There accomodations are a terrarium that includes-rock for hiding, a pool, stick where vines hang down (plastic vines), and a gravel base though this weekend I am going to cover it with terrarium moss. When I examine the newts, the bottom of their mouth (throat maybe?) seems to go up and down quickly. Honestly, to me, this looks pretty natural however, I believe I read somewhere this could be a sign of stress. Is it?}

 

[ester]

It never caused me to worry. I've seen it in several species I keep too.

 

[alan]

This is how terrestrial caudates breathe - not a problem unless accompanied by other signs of stress.

 

[sebastian]

Oh, that is how they breathe? That is a relief, thank you. No other signs of stress just that though.

 

[paris]

the rapid throat pulsations are called buccalpharyngeal respiration, essentially they pump air into their mouth and throat and gas exchange takes place in that area from lots of blood vessels in there-it is essentially the same thing that happens with cutaneous respiration except that air is forced in and out of the cavity (not passive exchange like the skin does). what i have seen with mine is a 1-3 cycle, (this is just personal observation here), it appears that the throat will pulse 3 times in succession then one deep pulse-to me this means they take a breath into their lungs every 4th beat. when disturbed they will stop this process and freeze, some frogs and sals resting at water level will give their locations away even when you cannot see them, by this motion causing distinctive ripples on the water.