Little shy newts

[ed]

I have just placed 4 little newts into my semi aquatic tank. They are currently only about an inch and a half long and seem to just sit in the moss! They have not even put their toes into the water yet!!! Also am having trouble feeding them- I have frozen blood worm.

Can you help- is it normal for fire bellies to mope around on land at ayoung age?}}

 

[nesaraj]

Yes, firebellies prefer land when they are younger. As for the moping, I suggest you ask them to get jobs

 

[jennifer]

It's normal for most juveniles to by "shy and dry". Are they C. orientalis (Chinese firebelly)? It might help to change the tank setup somewhat - if you describe it, some of us may have suggestions. You will probably need to hand-feed them the bloodworm from a tweezers or toothpick. If they don't take it the first time, try again later.

 

[ed]

I think they are chinese, very dark smooth skins and orange/red dappled bellies. The tank is made up of:
Large stoned gravel sloped up into a hill
Slate on the hill to make land
Bark on the top covered in moss with water trickling down
Devil's Ivy in the water to make little islands!!!

It looks good but is it ok?