T. marmoratus pig pile

J

jeff

Guest
A little bit of holiday fun for you all, I did not put these guys up to this, just had my camera ready at the right time.
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Amazing looking critters!!
Can´t wait to take pics of my own when they arrive...

They really look great.
 
Nice animals Jeff, glad to see they are doing well.
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The coloration of T. Marmoratus, especially as juveniles, is really striking.
 
These marms have similar patterning to mine.If you don't mind me asking who did you get yours from.
Pete
 
So here they go again, this time under a cave like rock. Thats every single one too, all in one tightly packed nugget.
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I have noticed this "piling behavior" (that's what I call it) in my newts (Eastern newts, Firebellies). Does anyone know if there is a technical term or reason for it? Do most species of newts do it? (In humans, they're called "puppy piles.")
 
I know the behaviour is normally called "gregarious". Maybe it's something that helps them prevent freezing in the winter? Just throwing a suggestion here, maybe someone knows more about this behaviour. I'm sure there's a reason for it.
 
I think since the land area appears to be rock this is a way to slow moisture loss. I doubt it occurs in the wild much. Great photos!

(Message edited by fishkeeper on January 02, 2007)
 
Gregariousnes is often a strategy of defence. Maybe morphs have this behaviour because if for example, a small snake finds their hide it will eat one..or a couple...but maybe not all. If there were only one morph in that hide it would be eaten...but hiding together the % of being the one the snake eats is smaller.
Or maybe they do this just because there´s no more hiding places xD
who knows...
 
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