Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello!
I'm from Norway, so you have to excuse my somewhat bad english.

I have a few questions about the housing of chinese firebellies:
-Is sand the best and most natural substrate for these newts? Can the sand be a little rough, or does it have to be very fine?

-I've read that they don't need as much land area as other newts and salamanders do. Is this true?

-Can I give them earthworms that I find outside, or do I have to buy "can worms"?

I hope someone can answer these questions, and please forgive me if some of them are a bit strange.

"I have a few questions about the housing of chinese firebellies:
Is sand the best and most natural substrate for these newts? Can the sand be a little rough, or does it have to be very fine?"

You can keep them on fine sand or lerge (pea) gravel. Don't keep them on smnall gravel which they may swallow. However, serious;ly consider using no substrate at all - they will be perfectly happy and it may be easier to keep, the tank clean. If you do use a substrate, keep an area clear for feeding.

"I've read that they don't need as much land area as other newts and salamanders do. Is this true?"

Yes.

"Can I give them earthworms that I find outside, or do I have to buy "can worms"?"

Yes, and lots of other foods too:
http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/Amphibiary/Corientalis.html
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Mike.
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http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/Amphibiary

my fire belly spends 90% of her time in the water, or on these little floatie lilly pads i bought. she also eats crickets- i tried worms, but she had some issues with them. there is land, and it is gravelly, sort of, with a big slabby smooth rock. but like i said, shes mainly in the water