Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently brought 5 fire-bellied newts, 2 large and 3 small. I have them in a 50 gallon tank, half water, half land. Before I bought these little guys they were liviing in a purely aquatic enviroment, no way to stay above the water at all. The first day I put them in their tank two of the small newts went onto the land. They never returned to the water and got very thin even though I put moistened food pellets in a small dish for them every day. My other three newts never go on land. Yesterday I removed the steps that let them on land and put them back in the water. Occasionally, they will panic (apparently) and swin madly around the edge. One of them spends all its time on a small rock just above water level. Anyone know why they do this?

Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!

Most likely your small newts are frightened of the big ones. Fire-bellies will eat their own species, no matter what the jackass at the pet store might say. I once saw a trio of fire salamanders that were kept like that: one big one, two smaller, and the littlest animal never ate. It eventually was eaten by a larger specimen in the same terrarium.

Young firebellies are often terrestrial. They really need someplace to get out of the water, even as adults, for their natural health. Let them get back on land & try feeding a variety of items, such as chopped up, still moving earthworms, tiny crickets, etc...
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