White spot on head

[CatSpit]

My 18+ year old newt has a white spot/growth on his head by his eye - wondering if anyone has any ideas as to what this could be? Thanks!

 

[Chinadog]

Its hard to tell from the picture, it does look like normal breeding colouration, but I'm sure you would have noticed it before if that's what it is? Maybe you could get a close up shot?
I do know that light coloured skin patches can just be a sign of extreme old age in reptiles as well as amphibians so it could just be that.
He does look quire thin, is he still eating properly?

 

[CatSpit]

Thanks Chinadog - funny you mentioned breeding colouration - I just recently added a female to the tank and he's been all over her. He had a "pal" before that but i figure he must have been a male as I hadn't seen this newt act that way before. His tail got the 'purplish sheen' to it, but I didn't think about the pale patch on his skin being part of the process. That would be great if that's all there is to it!

And yes, he is becoming elderly so you make a good point there too.

Hmm, never thought of him as thin, he is 'rounded', maybe it's just the way i took the picture. He still loves to eat!!

Thanks for your help

 

[Asevernnnn]

He looks thin to me too, but it could just be the angle of the photo. What are you feeding as a staple diet?

 

[CatSpit]

So, I just got a look at him from the front and he is showing light patches on both sides of his face...i tried to take a picture but it came out too blurry. Probably is breeding colouration then?! That would make sense.

He eats bloodworms, small earthworms, and shrimp and "newt bite" pellets.

 

[Asevernnnn]

Thats most likely what it is, but if you feel unsure, just keep an extra eye on it.
For feeding, I would have a majority of the diet be earthworm with the occasional frozen foods.

 

[CatSpit]

Thanks, here's a pic showing his tail 'sheen'

 

[Chinadog]

I think it was just the picture, he looks a healthy shape there. I'm pretty sure the white marks are just his breeding colours, my males get blue highlights on their necks and faces that look very similar to that. I will get a picture of them when I see them next for comparison.

 

[Chinadog]

This is a good thread to look at for examples of different males, it shows mine as well as other members pyrrhos in their breeding colours.


http://www.caudata.org/forum/f1173-...-video-gallery/79697-pyrrho-pride-parade.html

 

[CatSpit]

This is a good thread to look at for examples of different males, it shows mine as well as other members pyrrhos in their breeding colours.


http://www.caudata.org/forum/f1173-...-video-gallery/79697-pyrrho-pride-parade.html

Ah, thanks for the link - very informative and great to see all those pictures of males in their breeding colours (as well as the plump females)! It's a great thread.

Thanks again for your help Chinadog.