Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a paddle tail newt that is quit large and seems to be healthy for the most part. But lately he has started to do a sort of yawning type thing while he is sitting still. He still moves around a lot and looks healthy and eats. He kind of takes in a large gulp of water and keeps his mouth open and sort of squints his eyes (kind of like what it looks like when we yawn). I was wondering if this wshould worry me or not.
thanx for any help
gary

I've noticed this with mine too but I don't think we need worry. It could be their way (like us) of getting an extra boost of air. Do you have a running filter in it's cage that creates bubbles? That has helped mine because it oxygenates the water better for them.

Yes i do have a runnig filter that creates air bubbles. I think that it may have had something to do with shedding because shortly after i posted he began to shed his skin. and has since stoped the yawning like motions.

That's good to hear. If mine shed I missed it, shucks, that would be something I'd like to see. I've seen my reptiles shed, but not the Newt yet. They're interesting to watch when they travel around. I expected to see mine swim because of his tail, but he just kind of walks on the bottom and doesn't use his tail like I thought he would.

I think the swing part is all about how much room they have and the deepth of the water. I see mine swim from time to tiem but he mostly crawls around. Seeing him shed was something though. He did it kinda like a snake in that he rub against a rock untill it cam off in one big sheet then ate it.