Question: Lighting for Newts

[Fiend101]

I have read about how Newts dont need lighting so I dont have any but I was cleaning their tank and had put a clamp lamp on so I could see what I was doing and the Newts suddenly came alive and were the most active they have been since I got them. So I was wondering if newts actually do need or like light?

 

[Jennewt]

Light has various effects on newts' behavior. Certainly, they need enough light to see their food, and to have a normal day/night rhythm. Light cycles (and maybe intensity) probably play a role in breeding. The bright light you put over them probably activated them, or maybe mildly stressed them. It's hard to say, though I'm not surprised that it made them more active. It certainly wouldn't hurt them to have a bright light for a few hours a day. But they probably don't absolutely need it either.

 

[xMIDNIGHTx]

I have a CFBN and if I have the light off for more than 7 hours (night) then it will come out on land and say there until the light is on. He doesn't eat anything during this time and is very slow. With the light on he eats and is "spunky" from time to time. I have duck weed on the surface which cuts down on the light it receives.

I would think it depends on the newt/salamander and how they react to the light, as long as they have somewhere to hide (from the light) and it doesn't heat the water go for it.

Mitch

 

[Lasher]

IMO light and light cycles have just as much of an effect on amphibian species as they do on people. You can observe this by suddenly changing(shortening/lengthening, altering intensity) light cycles, most species will display unusual behaviour.
If someone suddenly turned the sun off you'd be a bit confused! Exposure to light in the majority of animal species regulates behaviour, breeding, feeding, resting etc to some degree, even if they do not require particular kinds of lighting for a specific biological process(for example the requirement in some amphibian and reptile species for UVA/UVB lighting to metabolise particular minerals from food).

In any case I believe a keeper should attempt to replicate an animals natural environment as closely as possible. Many species will be exposed to light of some sort for at least part of the day, so that should be replicated as well.

Daylight fluro's arent too expensive, dont use much power and dont give off too much heat. Over here small(8-12 watt) daylight CFL's only cost 1-2 pounds, dont know what prices are like over the pond(probably cheaper!) but it wouldnt set you back much.

 

[ShauNewt]

Light is great, but you need to provide shaded areas as well if they want a break from it. My newts are definatly more active when the light is on, and accept food a lot better.