At nearly 4 years old...

Interesting to compare growth rates/whether or not they remain aquatic/terrestrial. I think it has as much to do with age/size as it does with food availability on land or in water. I bet the quality of the habitat(water quality could drive newts to become terrestrial, or vise versa of an inappropriate land area).


This one, almost certainly a young male, has stayed on land ever since being moved to this setup, but lately has become more and more interested in the water.


this one, probably a young female, is the smallest of the bunch and thus fed frequently...so no reason to head to the water.



And here is an aquatic male, who randomly decided to crawl up onto this branch. After I stopped feeding blackworms in the water he gradually became almost fully terrestrial. Then lately he's switched back to the water again.


Same male in terrestrial phase a few weeks later

Thoughts? It is interesting that this species has not been observed much as juveniles in the wild.

They all look very nice, Joseph. Indeed, ensicauda juveniles seem to be very adaptable to either aquatic or terrestrial conditions, depending on what's more favorable.