New owner of Crocodile Newt

[sfmmfreak]

Well I'm a turtle person but at a reptile expo yesterday, I laid my eyes on a Crocodile Newt(though I don't know what kind). Anyway I took him home and set him up in a 15 gallon. The guy at the expo told me to feed him earthworms every 3 days, to mist the tank everyday and how much water he needs. After seeing some of your amazing tanks I have a feeling my tank is less than adequate. So once again I am a reptile person so I am prepared to change this tank. Oh and can you help identify the species and lead me to a care sheet?

Thanks for your help in advance!

PS: He's been burrowing, which I think is good right?

 

[Azhael]

That´s a Tylototriton kweichowensis, and it doesn´t look so good....although i don´t know if it´s just a trick fo the photo.
We don´t currently have aq caresheet for this species, but there is information around the forum, make a search and you´ll find housing info.
In the mean time, their basic care is more or less an average between the care of this two species:
Caudata Culture Species Entry - Tylototriton shanjing
Caudata Culture Species Entry - Tylototriton verrucosus

You should be able to infer much of the required conditions from those two caresheets.

 

[sfmmfreak]

Well being a Tylototriton kweichowensis, is he more terrestrial or aquatic? I've only seen him go in the water once, he just kinda sits in his his burrow. Im assuming he comes out a night though.

 

[Otterwoman]

I recently got some of these. I made them a 50-50 tank. It took a couple weeks for them to de-stress, but now they spend half their time in each side. Maybe more aquatic. I started with their water level about 1/2 inch until they were comfortable and slowly raised it to 4 inches. Here's the type of tank I use: the same kind I use for my T. verrucosus.

http://www.caudata.org/forum/f1173-...s-vivaria-etc/52345-new-tylo-urodelarium.html

 

[JWERNER]

Yes that is a Kweichow. I recently inquired about some Emperor newts on another forums classifieds. You gotta be careful with them cause I have seen lots of people outside this forum mislabel them as Shanjing. The care if much like Shanjing but they do desire way more water. Shanjings can get away with a shallow dish unless you wanna breed.

So, you are correct that it is a Crocodile newt as that is the common name for T. Kweichowenisis. Emperor newt is T. Shanjing.

I prefer the Shanjing myself do to the lateral lines being more bumpy and carrying into the face more so than the Kweichow.

There was a small run down for the Kweichow on Caudata Culture but its no longer there. Odd as I was just looking at it this morning.

EDIT: Ha, found it. It wasnt under care sheets.

http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Tylototriton/T_kweichowensis.shtml

 

[sfmmfreak]

Thanks Otterwoman, that was a big help. I'm going to try and do something like this on wednesday.

Ya Jamie, that's definetley my Newt.

Ok so it sounds like I might need a bigger tank. I just noticed my 15 is actually a 10. Do I need to upgrade to my 40?

Also, should I be worried that he's not very active?-- except for last night when I dropped that night crawler in!

I've been misting one side of the tank a lot. I'm worried my room is too warm. It's 76 in my house so probably 78 in my room because of my large aquarium which is at 80 right now. What temperature do these guys like?

Oh and BTW, just bought a bag of Zilla Jungle Mix, the stuff I have just seems to dry.

 

[Otterwoman]

For one animal, I think a 15 would be OK, though I keep my pair in a 40. I figure, if I have the room for it, I owe it to them to give them the most I can. They could live for 30 years!
but I think it's too warm. I worry when mine get above 72.

 

[sfmmfreak]

Ok well I kept the window open all night, but he really hasn't moved much which worries me!

 

[Mark]

Ok well I kept the window open all night, but he really hasn't moved much which worries me!

Newts excel at doing absolutely nothing, especially during the day as they're generally nocturnal. Aquatic animals tend to be more active but terrestrial ones will seek out the best place to hunker down, usually a dark hide, and sit the day out. For us newt keepers it's often more worrying to see an animal active as this can be a sign of stress.

That said, it looks like an adult, which means it's probably wild caught and therefore may be suffering from the trauma of importation. Some species are notoriously poor at adjusting to captivity - Tylototrition in general fall under this banner. Keep an eye out for sores, failure to feed and lethargy (other than just hiding). A healthy appetite is one of the key indicators that all is well.

 

[sfmmfreak]

Just before I read this I put I Night Crawler in, and of course, he ate it!

I know he's just settling into his 10, but I feel it's too small. Would it be a bad idea to move him into a 40 tomorrow?

 

[tmarmoratus]

My Kweichow only takes the occasional dip in the water, so their preference can vary.

Personally, I'd recommend a 20 gallon long with a 3:2 land to water ratio, well planted, and with a few hide spots.

Once your kweichow gets acclimated, don't be surprised to find him/her trying to follow your every move and begging for food with dog-like tenacity.

 

[Otterwoman]

Mine beg whenever they see me, already. If you just brought him home, I'd wait a week until I changed his environment yet again. Gives you time to set up the larger tank just right.

I think 50-50 is a good ratio, if anything, I might be more generous on the side of water.

 

[sfmmfreak]

Okay thanks so much for your help everyone! I'll keep you guys updated!

 

[JWERNER]

I think 50-50 is a good ratio, if anything, I might be more generous on the side of water.

Thats what I have come to conclude with the Kweichow where as Shanjing needs only a small dish unless your in breeding season and want to breed.

 

[sfmmfreak]

So i'll upgrade next wednesday to the 40 gallon. I'm probably going to make the water area by putting a plastic tub inside the tank, and I already have 2 of the waterfall filters.

BTW when I woke up at 7 this morning he was out so I'm feeling a lil better.

 

[sfmmfreak]

Well I haven't done the upgrade to the 40 yet. I'm trying to figure out where I'm going to put it. Anyway I still rarely see Newton. Even when I come home at 1am and the lights are off he's not out and when I sometimes wake up at 6:30am for work. Though every 3 nights when I drop a worm next to where he hides, it gets yanked into the darkness so at least he's eating. So is he still ok? The house's temperature is usually 74-76. I leave my window open at night. Should I try the frozen water bottle in tank idea?