Why do these newts prefer cooler water temperatures, despite coming from warm parts of the world? What kind of water do they live in in the wild, that doesnt heat up? I would think water with little current would be more likely to heat up to the surrounding air temperatures. Its not like they live in cool mountain streams or anything.
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Fire-bellied newt water temp.
to_the_sun
Feb 20, 2004 04:11 PM
Replies (4)
mike_edwardes
Feb 22, 2004 02:03 PM
I've seen at least five species labelled as "fire-bellied newts" in shops during the last year (two Cynops and three Paramesotriton). Without knowing the species, it's impossible to offer firm advice, but in general terms, yes, most of the commonly-encountered species do prefer cooler water, e.g:
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
to_the_sun
Feb 22, 2004 09:11 PM
Well lets say Cynops Orientalis, the chinese fire-bellied newt. I already know they prefer water with cooler temps and little current. I guess to clarify, my question is:
What water in China do they come from? (streams, swamps, lakes or what?) What is their habitat like?
P.S. How do you sex a Cynops Orientalis?
smallFry
Feb 25, 2004 10:58 PM
Not sure of their natural habitat, but my newts are thriving in 65-70F degree water (no heater necessary). I have a Fluval submersible filter with the current pointed slightly towards the bottom of the tank. They can swim like bullets, but you don't want super current as they may become tired and drown. I have just enough current to move the water around a bit.
jleahl
Feb 26, 2004 07:15 AM
I don't know much about the natural habitat of C. orientalis, but I think they live in large still bodies of water.....rice paddy type things, maybe?....big enough not to heat up a lot due to solar heating. Certainly there are species of "fire-bellied newts" that tolerate warmer temperatures.....such as C. pyrrhogaster. Sexing orientalis isn't that hard, but it's relative; it's all in the size of the cloaca. I am fairly sure that I have a female, because the cloaca isn't markedly swollen (or big or whatever). Check out Caudata. org; they have more information than you could ever use!
