Firebellied Newts

Firebellied Newts are nifty little creatures.
They are a very hardy breed of newt and 
are very common as household pets.
Firebellied Newts are amphibians and have three phases to their life.
The first phase is a water phase, new little newt nymphs live and grow in the water until they develop their little lungs. The Firebellied newt then enters phase two of its life which is its terrestrial phase. During this phase the firebellied newt spends most of his time on land (near water), returning to the water to feed if necessary. The third phase is also a water phase where the newt returns to the water to lay eggs and live out its life. Fire Bellied Newts can live 7-15 years.

Feeding your Newt

Some people feed ReptoMin floating food sticks to their Newts, but my newt would never have anything to do with them. Newts also like small brine shrimp which can be found in dehydrated form. My newt likes to eat small feeder guppies, which I keep in the water side of his habitat. I also feed him bloodworms which he loves. I buy the bloodworms in frozen little cubes which makes it easy to feed. I just pop a couple of cubes into the water where they slowly dissolve. The fish love them too so I usually use a couple of cubes. The blood worms are low fat and vitamin fortified which is great for your newt.

Care and Handling

Be sure to wash and rinse your hands before handling your newt. The Newt's delicate flesh can be sensitive to normal bodily salts as well as any lotions etc. Be extra careful to wash your hands afterwards. Firebellied Newts exude a toxin from the pores in their skin as a natural defense. I have never experienced any irritation but have read that if you are more sensitive handling them could cause some minor irritation. I have read that they could have toxic effect if a child were to swallow one.

Be sure to keep temperatures moderate in your newts habitat. Extremes in temperature can have ill effects on your little critters.

My Newt is currently in his terrestrial phase where he spends most of his time on land. Actually he likes to spend most of his time climbing and hiding in the artificial vines that I have cascading above and beside his waterfall. His prehensile tale helps him to maneuver and hold on.

As I learn more about my little guy I will upgrade this page.

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