Red-Spotted Newt

[gamergirlienata]

I'm not even sure if I'm posting this on the write board so I apologize if it's not.

I recently got a red-spotted newt. It's in the eft stage and I'm at a loss as to how to properly care for it. I know it's chilly here but s/he seems rather lethergic.

I have him in a tank with a shallow dish of water with rocks so if he falls in he can get out, I have some twigs, the bottom is lined with leaves, damp, and there is a small rock pile for him to crawl on and hide under. The current food offered is pinhead crickets but I haven't noticed him eat any.

I've only had him for three days. Are there any recommendations? Is he just kind of chilly and is half in half out of hibernation so isn't very hungry?

Any help, sugggestions or even comments would be helpful.

 

[Rain_Flower]

Never had a newt before, but if I were to take a guess it sounds like your doing things right. Did you catch him or buy him? Is there any dirt or actual substrate in with the leaves?
Like I said, I've never had one before, but those are a couple things I think could help if I or others knew the answers to.

Either way, good luck!

 

[gamergirlienata]

He was wild caught, saved him from a parking lot in a school area where there is no grass, trees or anything.

His wild color made me think he wasn't native but apparently he is? I think.

There is not soil or substrate but I think I figured out the problem. I shifted him to the water cause he was staying still a lot and he was rubbing on the rocks I have in it and he's apparently shedding.

He seems a bit more lively already since I helped him get some of the extra skin off so his hands could move freely.

Hopefully he'll start to eat.

 

[Rain_Flower]

Glad he's doing a bit better. I wonder what they eat in the wild. Try an earthworm maybe? I think he might like that.

 

[gamergirlienata]

I think they just eat things that are in the grass and whatnot. From what I've found they go through three stages, he's in the middle on land one. He'll eat pin heads and small worms, I just don't have any worms at the moment.

He has access to the crickets though. When he becomes water kind again he'll eat the same but also brine shrimp and things.

He's kind of slow in moving, but he's moved more now then he has in the past few days.

 

[dtknow]

Newts in the terrestrial stage are generally very sluggish creatures. Try to get some worms. If not, small crickets with back legs removed.

Also, try www.caudata.org their are a few people there with extensive experience with this species and they will be glad to help.

 

[Rain_Flower]

How big is he? Can you post a picture? I'm curious.

 

[gamergirlienata]

I have no way to post a picture, but he's about 4-5 inches from head to tail. He's rather small thing. Apparently he isn't going to get any bigger either. Least from what I've been reading.

He's been pacing about his cage a heck of a lot more now, Every time I've checked on him over the past few days he's been in the same spot, sleeping and cold.

Of course apparently the cold isn't a problem, but I'm used to my turtles who need a heat lamp and everything or even my furry pets.

Also, thanks Dt. I went to that site and posted my problems and my request for help.