Tylototriton verrucosus sexing

[aimee]

Hi All

Just aquired 3 of these gorgeous creatures, I think they are the grand-children of John's verrucosus (passed from Morg to chris_froggy and now me)

Took some pictures to help with sexing. I think they are two females and a male. The male is the first picture and although you can't tell in the picture, he is a lot more streamline than the other two, less plump.

- Male?

- Female?

- Female?

If more clearer pictures are needed of specific 'bits'(eyes?) then I will post some.

Thanks

 

[john]

Try spreading the cloaca lips gently with your fingers and see how long the slit is. The male's will be noticeably longer.

 

[aimee]

Hi John

I had another look today at the little ones and tried what you suggested above. Thank you - I succesfully managed to identify them and turns out they were 2 females and a male.

Prehaps I should start a new topic but I have noticed that the male has changed colour to the other two. The girls are the typical black body with orange markings, and my male has now turned a lovely chocolate brown colour. His orange markings on the feet have also extended upto the top of his leg, and he is starting to look a bit like the mysterious 'X' variety.. Mine are decendants of yours (I got mine from Chris_Froggy who I think got them from Morg) so do you have any ideas of what might be going on with him?! It might just be he is changing with the seasons.. Although they have all shed their skin within the past week or so. I have not kept this species before but I have found they are pretty hardy and love a good feed! One of my females is starting to look as fat as your Big mama

She still has a way to go though!

Managed to dig out a pic to show you the colour change (male on the left) I personally really like him this brown colour, its nice to see a bit of variation!

 

[john]

Males are generally a bit more orange/lighter than the females, but sometimes individuals get a bit lighter still and that seems to be happening with your male. His (late) grandfather was the same. The grandfather died recently while I was away from home of natural (not a disease) causes.

 

[aimee]

Sorry to hear that John, I am sure he was a very pretty newt.

This little guy changes everyday, most of the time he is the very light colour above but when there's food around he turns black like the others - very strange.

 

[jesper]

Hey!
Can't we start a family-tree of your t.vs John?
I am hoping to get some eggs this spring from Chris! A little tree with pics of owners and newts!

No actually I am serious, that would be soo cool.

 

[mike]

Following on from Jesper's suggestion, I'm not sure about a family tree, but we are probably at the point where we need a proper studbook for this amazing profilic species to ensure their future health!