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!

Cresting in young male dobrogicus

Joined
Oct 4, 2008
Messages
30
Reaction score
0
Location
WI
The juvenile dobros I got in May have grown quite a bit, and the males are starting to form ridges on their backs. One male even has about 2mm of a toothy crest--not much compared to the crest of a male in full breeding dress, but it's noticeable.

I'm new to dobros, and I'm wondering, what do adult males look like out of breeding season? (I see a lot of pictures of them in breeding dress, but not many out of it.) How much of a crest do they have out of breeding season, and how do you know when they're cresting up to go into breeding mode? And how quickly do they form those tall crests?

Just trying to get a read on these newts' development, which is hard to do from just looking at photos.

Thanks!
 

otolith

Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2009
Messages
484
Reaction score
22
The small crest you described sounds normal for a sub adult male or an adult out of breeding dress. My male is at about 2-3mm now and will get up to nearly 2cm during breeding season. The crest will usually grow following a winter cooling period once it begins to "warm" up to the low 60s. I've had males crest up out of nowhere during stable weather or in the fall without any significant temperature change though so that's a possibility too.

Welcome to the exciting world of dobro keeping, they were my first triturus and still a favorite.
 
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