Newts eating shedded skin?

[melissa]

i caught my newts twice eating shedded skin, is this ok? will it cause any damage?

 

[jeff]

This is quite normal behavior, Melissa. Most amphibians make a meal of their shedding skin as a survival technique.

 

[joan]

Yep, no point in wasting something edible. You're lucky to have seen it. I've only seen my newt shed once, and all I saw was a floating 'plastic wrap' newt (the shed skin floating in the water).

 

[melissa]

the first time i saw the skin floating round i didnt know what it was so i netted it out but this time around i saw the outline of the feet and realised what it was.how often do they shed? do they do it at a certain time of year?

 

[joseph]

Usually anywhere from once every week to 2 weeks in my experience. Of course you probably miss the act many more times so it seems they only shed once in a while.

 

[TJ]

Melissa, this thread, while interesting, will be moved soon to the Newt and Salamander Help section at:

http://www.caudata.org/forum/messages/7/7.html?1113182209

...as it's really not Cynops-specific. It's something all newts do -- some lizards too

In the meantime, check out some shedded skin pics at:

http://www.caudata.org/forum/messages/985/17762.html?1089136174

http://www.caudata.org/forum/messages/985/12035.jpg

(Message edited by TJ on April 11, 2005)