WHATS THE BEST WAY TO MOVE EFTS?

[jim]

Ive got some italian crested newt baby efts and they look very delicate. when putting them in a clean tub, whats the best way to do it , - with a net? or maybe catch them in an eggcup?????

 

[benjamin]

Are you talking about efts or newtlets. Let show you a newt's life cycle:

egg-
larva(with in this stage newts grow their frontlegs, then hind legs, they live aquaticly and have gills)
- morph (a newly morphed newt moved onto land often picky eaters and often have a preference for land)
- eft (a juvenile newt which has been on land for some time this stage ocasionally has unique colouring)
- sub adult ( a newt which has adult like appearance and that will enter the water but isn't quite full size or sexually mature)
- adult (a sexually mature newt)

I have a feeling you're dealing with larvae.

 

[jim]

Yes theyre larvea - just hatched!

 

[mike]

Use a fine net to catch the larvae, it won't harm them they are tougher than they look.

 

[jim]

thanks very much pal.

 

[ester]

This method I learned from an experienced breeder in the Netherlands so I can't take credit for it myself!

Take a nice thick straw, like a McDonalds straw for example. Put your thumb on it to close it off at the top. Move it into the water right in front of or behind the larvae. Release your thumb and the larvae will be sucked into the straw. Replace thumb, lift straw and move the critter.

It does take a little practice.

 

[joeri]

Thanks for the explenation Benjamin, I never understood what efts were

ps: I use Esters method as well, proofs to be very handy especially in smaller plastic boxes or for catching newts in corners or planted area's.

 

[benjamin]

I wouldn't trust suction methods too much, because I've lost animals to siphons in the past. The straw idea does seem relatively harmless, I wouldn't do it though unless the straw was several times the width of the animal being moved, so nobody's internal organs are removed.

 

[ester]

I've not had any bad experiences with the straw method. I haven't tried it on larvae as they get bigger though. But for those first few weeks, when the larvae are simply tiny it's worked just fine for me.

It's also great for removing things that develop fungus or otherwise look like they need removing.

 

[jim]

yeah it works great, thanks mcdonald