Welcome P. labiatus to my newt family

[jeff]

So I picked up a couple of Pachys earlier this week from the pet store down the street from my house. They had 4 for sale, and the two I picked out were in great condition. I also happened to luck out because these two also happen to be male and female (at least I'm as certain as I can be).

On the other hand, the other two are in not so great of condition. One is missing one of it's front arms and the other is missing one of its front feet. I feel bad. I let the employee know about the aggressive and territorial nature of this species, and suggested that the pet store provide some hiding spots for the newts. She seemed to agree and told me she would let the manager know when she was in the next day. I haven't been back since, but I'll probably stop by some time next week and see if they took my advice.

Anyway, on to the pictures (gotta love those, right?)

This is the tank. It's a 10 gallon, but will be upgraded to a 15 once our four baby turtles graduate to a bigger enclosure.

This is the female, chillin' in her rock cave.

This is her chillin' in the rock cave with worms added.

This is her leaving the cave for the worms, and it didn't take long for her to make that decision.

This is the male. Notice the white spot on the end of the tail. If this picture looks funny, it's because it was put together using three different pictures. Artsy, huh?

That's it. Any questions?

 

[jeff]

Just to update- I went to the pet store I bought them from yesterday, and the remaining two were no longer there. I'm not sure if they died as a result of their wounds of if they were sold.

 

[l.]

I wonder if the store manager removed the two injured ones to the back, instead of selling wounded animals? Not typical of small store owners, IME, but I imagine there's got to be ONE out there that cares. *shrug*

Beautiful newts

Pachys are my favorite. When I got mine a few years ago, the store had him labelled as just "Firebelly", and sold him to me for $4! Suckers.

(Message edited by s1ren on July 20, 2006)

 

[jeff]

It's possible. I went back in there today and one of them was back in the tank they've been kept in. I wouldn't be surprised if the other one was seperated in the back. I've been going to this pet store for over 10 years now, and they've always been good at taking care of the animals they sell.