Unusual newt front leg position?

[steve11]

Hello, I'm curious to know if anyone has an idea why my Spanish ribbed newt sometimes adopts a strange stance with its legs? It will curl its front legs up so that the feet are beside its head, and remain in this position for 10 to 15 minutes. Kind of looks like the position the male adopts when mating, but not sure of its sex yet, but maybe that could be an explanation. I will attach a photo I took of the behavior as an example. I'm not too worried about it, just curious as to what it means!

 

[Bellabelloo]

Some of my newts do this when they are about to shed skin.

 

[Redear]

Thats a male trying to mate. He will wrap his arms around the female's arms and swim around the tank with her. Its pretty cool to watch.

 

[Chinadog]

Yes mine do it right before they shed, maybe it's to stretch their old skin to help it come off? Your P. waltl's pose reminds me of a gangster rapper!

 

[steve11]

Thanks, I will look out for shedding or breeding behavior next time it does it!