Fire Bellied Newts

Easy to find and easy to care for, fire bellied newts are a great choice for a first amphibian pet. There are two types of fire bellied newts that you may encounter in your local pet shop: Chinese fire bellied newts (Cynops orientalis) and Japanese fire bellied newts (Cynops pyrrhogaster). Both types are dark brown or black on most of the body, with bright orange and red markings on the stomach — hence the name! The Japanese variety has an average length between three and a half and five inches; the Chinese variety is slightly smaller with an average size … Continue reading

Tank Care For Newts and Salamanders

Salamanders and newts have very porous skin — it makes them very sensitive to changes in environment (just like frogs and other amphibians). If you aren’t careful in your tank care, your pets can become seriously ill or injured. First things first — all tanks need water. Even terrestrial tanks have water trapped in the mossy substrate and/or in shallow pools. Don’t use distilled water to fill your tanks. You can use tap water or rainwater — but either one may need to be treated or left standing to allow chemicals to dissipate. Tap water should be treated with dechlorinating … Continue reading