Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Was wondering if a c. orientalis could do well in a mostly terrestial setup...with a large/deep waterbowl of course. I saw a bunch at a local reptile expo..both Chinese Firebelly newts & Firebelly toads(together- THE HORROR!!) setup with mostly moss and plants and just a large waterbowl for the swimming.. They seemed to be doing well..The newts were all over tank, but not in water.

I did buy a couple of each animals...(WILL KEEP SEPARATELY)..

Right now the toads are in a mostly land setup And the newts are in a mostly water setup.. BUT do i have to do mostly water for the newts??

Thanks in advance,

Harpy
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Have You Hugged Your Herp Today?

Chinese fire belly newts, Cynops orientalis, go through a 1-3 year terrestrial eft stage after they metamorphose, and in this case a mostly land and part water setup is appropriate.

Adults should be kept in a mostly water setup as they are aquatic animals. They should have a small place to haul themselves out of the water, but the enclosure should be predominatly aquatic.

Some adults will be "ground-bound" when stressed out (like when placed into a new enclosure), and sometimes just out of nowhere. This should be discouraged as I find that these newts won't eat as well as their more aquatic counterparts. This can kindly be done by not allowing the newt anywhere in the enclosure where it can sit in water more shallow than up to its neck.

Christina Miller
www.herptiles.net