Caudata.org: Newts and Salamanders Portal

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Did you know that registered users see fewer ads? Register today!

Wild Newt - Fungal Growth?

SmileyBlue69

New member
Joined
Apr 24, 2018
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
UK
Hi,

Forums are new territory to me and apologise if I get any part of this wrong.

I'm in the UK and have a small pond with about 13 wild newts. One newt has a pea size white growth behind its rear right leg. This has increased in size by approx 30% over the last few days. A few days ago it was interacting and behaving like the other newts - then it disappeared - but have just spotted and caught it. Prior to catching, it seemed to be having a quite aggressive situation with another newt. Usually it's a love fest between them all but this seemed different. Maybe I'm wrong but something seemed different / defensive.

Has anyone an idea of what this growth might be? It was kind of fuzzy if that makes any sense. Actually it looked like a small pond snail (without shell) was stuck to it. I didn't want to stress it more than necessary so didn't mess with it for long.

I understand nature must and will play out but I adore these creatures and watch / count them for more time than I care to admit.

I'm thrilled newts have returned after loosing them all two years ago to a full scale pond filter massacre. So bad i can still hardly talk about it but all filters should be buried in gravel!

I'm asking your views on what is on this newt ... whether it may be contagious ... and general thought.

While these are not captive creatures, I am desperately fond of them and their behaviour suggests they are happy. They look happy. But if there is something obvious to do in helping the poorly one, I'm interested in comments.

Thank you.
 

DSaxolotl

New member
Joined
Sep 27, 2017
Messages
115
Reaction score
2
Hello maybe you have a picture that you took that can share it with us?
 

SmileyBlue69

New member
Joined
Apr 24, 2018
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
UK
Hi - thank you for replying and I've attached a couple of pictures I just took.

Again, thank you.
 

Attachments

  • 1.jpg
    1.jpg
    291.2 KB · Views: 206
  • 2.jpg
    2.jpg
    507.8 KB · Views: 172
  • 3.jpg
    3.jpg
    508.2 KB · Views: 165
  • 4.jpg
    4.jpg
    491 KB · Views: 161

Otterwoman

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Dec 13, 2006
Messages
6,617
Reaction score
102
Location
Wappingers Falls, NY
Is that a wound or something stuck to it?
It looks like a wound from the picture, but not really sure what you could do about it. If it's some kind of parasite, maybe try to push it off with a toothpick?
 

SmileyBlue69

New member
Joined
Apr 24, 2018
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
UK
Hi Otterwoman,

I truly don't know but it is bigger now than before. Would a wound bulge out that much?
Expect a fair bit of pressure would be needed to remove if a parasite ... and what if it isn't ... that would be horrible for the newt pulling at what could be a wound. I sort of tried to see with my finger nail 2 days ago but it was a half hearted attempt.

Its behaviour is now different to the other newts. Until approx 3 days ago it was interacting and behaving as though nothing was wrong. Now it's hard to find suggesting it's lying low under rocks.

Almost inclined to take it to my vet even though they specialise more in furry things. Nothing to lose as they think I'm mad there anyway as I take so many hedgehogs to them.

It really looks like a snail without its shell is stuck to it ... but it isn't.

"My" wild animals give me far more stress than my child or domestic animals. By a stretch.
 

DSaxolotl

New member
Joined
Sep 27, 2017
Messages
115
Reaction score
2
Well it does look bad cant say for sure what it is, on touch is it soft? firm? If you do have a vet who can take a look it might be best option.
 

Otterwoman

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Dec 13, 2006
Messages
6,617
Reaction score
102
Location
Wappingers Falls, NY
If you are really willing to take a wild newt to the vet, that is very good of you. I would do that. If it is legal? Is it OK to mess with wild newts? anyway the vet is the best bet.
 

SmileyBlue69

New member
Joined
Apr 24, 2018
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
UK
Thank you for your replies and views. In taking it to the vet (I don't have experience with handling amphibians) would I put it in a semi covered plastic container with kitchen towel and a few mm of pond water so it can breathe and keep it moist? He'd be out the pond for approx an hour. Would that work?
I've not seen him today but generally he's been hard to spot lately.

:)
 

herpvet

Veterinarian
Joined
May 7, 2007
Messages
156
Reaction score
25
Location
Oxford, U.K.
Thank you for your replies and views. In taking it to the vet (I don't have experience with handling amphibians) would I put it in a semi covered plastic container with kitchen towel and a few mm of pond water so it can breathe and keep it moist? He'd be out the pond for approx an hour. Would that work?
I've not seen him today but generally he's been hard to spot lately.

:)

Thanks for taking it to the vet. How did he get on?
 
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    There are no messages in the chat. Be the first one to say Hi!
    Top