Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello Everyone

My name is Shannon and I am a 24 year old University student.
Recently I aquired a newt that I was told was a Oregon Newt. Does
anyone here know anything about them? I have searched the web yet
found little information on them. Normally I research a potential
pet before purchase, however in this case I rescued it from being
flushed down the toilet.

I currently have him housed in a 5-6 gallon aquarium. It has a few
inches of water in it with a huge floating island, branches and
plants for him to climb out of the water. He has 12 hours of light
and 12 hours of darkness per day and is being fed bloodworms. He is
housed alone. I have a reptile filter for him as well

My questions are as follows.....

1) Is this tank set-up ok?
2) Am I feeding him the right food/is there any foods I can add?
3) Do they prefer to live alone or in pairs (and is it ok to have
him alone)?
4) How long do they live?
5) Is there anything else I should know? ( I do know they are
extremely poisonous and should not be mixed with other species...)

Thanks for all your help
Shannon
........................
1 Holland Lop (Rabbit)
2 African Dwarf Frogs (ADF's)
1 Apple Snail
1 Betta
1 Oregon Newt (a.k.a California or Rough Skinned Newt)

Found some information about how to keep these newts. They need mostly land in their tanks with about a third being water. They do find at room temperature providing it doesn't go less than 60F or too hot. Aquarium and sphagnum moss for the land section of the tank is good. More details can be found at the site below:

www.wnyherp.org/care-sheets/Amphibians/rough-skinned-newt.html

www.centralpets.com/care/pets/reptiles/salamanders/5892/1/1/petcare.php

Thanks for the info

I already looked into that site and many others. There is a lot of conflicting information out there. If you have any experiences in caring for these newts it would be great if you would be willing to share it.

If anyone else in the group cares for these guys and can give me any helpful info on housing and feeding it would be great.

I find the best way to learn is from other peoples experiences.

Thanks
Shannon

I worked with these animals for quite some time, successfully breeding them before donating them to someone else, and I would be happy to offer some information.

First, I don't think you require a land section. They're pretty much fully aquatic if the water conditions are correct.

Loose the light. They don't need, so only keep it if you intend to have live plants.

I used to keep them in a heavily planted tank with the light on for around the same lengths as you. There was no gravel or anything on the bottom (easier to keep clean), and one floating plastic device in case they wished to leave the water (which they never did). I had them all hand feeding, and they become quite friendly. I've always called them underwater teddy bears.

Check out caudata.org for some great care sheets, but in general treat it like a fish tank aquarium without any light or high temps. They need it 68F or lower for the most part, though they can handle higher temps.

Great beginner salamander, but don't handle them much and make sure their tank has a tight lid. If not, they're great escape artists and this species is the most toxic species out there.

Feel free to email me if you want to talk more about them.

Rob

>>Thanks for the info
>>
>>I already looked into that site and many others. There is a lot of conflicting information out there. If you have any experiences in caring for these newts it would be great if you would be willing to share it.
>>
>>If anyone else in the group cares for these guys and can give me any helpful info on housing and feeding it would be great.
>>
>>I find the best way to learn is from other peoples experiences.
>>
>>Thanks
>>Shannon
-----
Hope my opinions help,
Rob

Do you know what their lifespans are?

Most newts can live 7- 12 years or even longer i think
Demon
Mine's prolly going on 7 now