The alpine newt, a species of newt that is medium in size and endemic to continental Europe, is one such example. The striking orange bellies and hardy nature of the alpine newt are what make them so attractive. This semi-aquatic species can live up to 20 years.
Although the alpine newt can be cared for fairly easily, it should not be handled. It needs a tank that is representative of its natural habitat.
Rankin’s Dragon Overview
| Common name | Alpine newt |
| Scientific name | Ichthyosaura alpestris |
| Natural habitat | Continental Europe |
| Size for adults | Maximum 4.7 inches |
| Average life expectancy | 15 to 20 Years |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Housing | 50-gallon semi-aquatic tank, hiding spots, artificial leaves, 57-71degF. Natural light with total darkness in the evening |
| Experience | For Beginners |
Origin
Alpine newts ( Ichthyosaura Alpestris ) are native to Europe. They live in forested habitats close to small, cool bodies water.
The decline in wild alpine newts is slowly due to habitat loss, pollution, and diseases. These amphibians are not endangered, but they are still quite common.
Alpine newts used to be classified under the genus Mesotriton. They now belong in Ichthyosaura. Laurenti, an Austrian zoologist, was the first to discover Alpine newts.
The scientific name Ichthyosaura is based upon the Greek mythological nymph.
Appearance & behavior
The alpine newt, which is medium in size, has velvety skin and a dark gray, stocky body. It also has a short, compressed tail. This amphibian is well-known for its bright orange bellies, and sharp eyes.
They can be distinguished easily between males and women because they are sexually dimorphic. Males are smaller than their female counterparts and have a smooth, yellowish white crest that is prominent during breeding season. The color of females is darker and more dorsal.
Juveniles look similar to adults but often have a darker red or yellow stripe on their backs.
There are many subspecies of alpine nits. These are the ones that are most often kept in captivity:
- I.a. Apuanus: Available in Italy, Denmark and Germany. Maximum size: 4.5 inches
- I.a. alpestris is found in northern Italy and southwest France. Maximum size is 4 inches. Usually has a spotted belly.
- I.a. Cyreni: A native of the Cantabrian Mountains, Spain. This subspecies has a larger head and a more round stature than the other species.
The great crested newts look very similar to the Alpine newts ( Triturus cristatus ), but they tend to be slightly smaller.
Size and life span
Alpine newts are medium-sized. They have a maximum length of tail to head of 4.7 inches, and a weight range between 1.4 and 6.8 grams. Males can be up to 0.79 inches shorter than females.
The average life expectancy for Alpine newts is 15 to 20 years. However, they can live up to 30 years in wild environments at high altitude. These newts will live long and fulfilling lives if they are provided with a variety of protein-rich foods, ideal enclosure conditions, as well as plenty of hiding places.
Temperament
The alpine newt, a shy and even-tempered species, is most active at night (nocturnal). The amphibian is most active during the day hiding in burrows and leaf litter.
They will either run or take a defensive posture that exposes their belly when threatened. The bright belly color acts as a warning sign and protects them from predators. The skin of Alpine newts can release toxins.
Although aggression is uncommon, handling alpine newts should not be done as it can cause stress to their mucus membranes and increase their vulnerability to injury. These amphibians can also harbor harmful chytrids, like Batrachochytrium desndrobatidis.
They can be kept together as long as there is enough space and the females are larger than the males. The breeding process is encouraged by keeping more than one male in the tank.
Alpine Newts Housing
Alpine newts can be found in areas of forested land with small bodies cool water such as lakes, ponds and puddles. These newts live in the ground and migrate to water during breeding season.
To make the newt feel secure and comfortable, replicate the wild environment of the alpine newt in the enclosure. The tank should have a lid to protect this species.
Capacity of the enclosure
They need a 50-gallon or larger tank, which should be long enough to allow them to have both an aquatic and terrestrial side. You should make sure the tank is tall enough to hold a water depth of at least 15 inches.
Lighting
Alpine newts are a night-dependent species that doesn’t need UVB lighting. The tank should be placed in an area that gets natural sunlight but not in direct sunlight. To replicate a natural day to night cycle, the aquarium should be kept in complete darkness at night.
Temperature
Cool temperatures are best for the alpine newt, which is best between 57-71 degrees F. You can keep the temperature of your tank low by using an aquarium chiller, air conditioning, or partial water changes with cool waters. Hobbyists may also be able to move the tank to a cooler spot in the home.
To minimize temperature fluctuations, monitor the temperature with a thermometer daily. An ideal temperature for the tank is 84 degrees F. A high temperature can cause severe distress and health problems.
Substrat and Decoration
With an equal amount of water and land, simulate the wild habitat of the alpine newt in the tank. The water source must be neutral in pH and 15 to 20 inches deep. It should also have a fine sand- or gravel substrate. You should also ensure that the alpine newt is able to get into and out of the water. If necessary, decorate with coralwood or bark to make a bridge-like structure.
A high-quality, undergravel filtration system can be added to the water supply. It won’t create strong currents or cause harm to the newt.
The tank’s land side should have a substrate made of either sloping slate, soil or leaf litter. You can also add hiding places with logs, caves and branches.
Because alpine newts can climb, make sure the tank is covered. Decorations should be strong, non-abrasive and clean.
Cleaning
To maintain clean conditions, perform a partial water change of 20-30% once per week. Regularly clean out the tank to get rid of any leftover food or other debris, even with the filter.
Do a deep clean once a month. This involves wiping down decorations and glass with warm water. Avoid harsh chemicals as alpine newts can be extremely sensitive to them.
Before putting decorations in the enclosure, clean them thoroughly. Use a mixture of one part hot water and nine parts cleaning solution to clean the enclosure. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
Alpine Newt Care
Because of its small size and hardy nature, the alpine newt can be easy to care for. This species is susceptible to chytrid fungal infection.
Water and food
Alpine newts are carnivores that have a voracious appetite. These amphibians eat gastropods, crustaceans and springtails in the wild.
Captive alpine newts need to be fed a variety of protein-rich foods, including slugs and sliced earthworms as well as bloodworms, bloodworms and daphnia.
Adult alpine newts should be fed two to three times per week. At night, they should be offered food to mimic their nocturnal eating habits. These newts should only eat as much as they can in one sitting.
Common Health Problems
Alpine newts can live up to 20 years if they are well cared for. These amphibians can be susceptible to Chytridiomycosis if they are kept in poor tanks or bought from an unreliable breeder.
Chytridiomycosis can be a potentially fatal, infectious disease that is caused by two types chytrid fungus: Batrachochytrium chytridis (Bd), and B. salamandrivorans (Bsal). The symptoms include slowness, skin changes and ulcerations, excessive shedding, and abnormal behavior. However, infected amphibian species can sometimes be asymptomatic.
Antifungal medication is used to treat the condition. The treatment involves antifungal medication. Always quarantine new arrivals.
Shedding
The alpine newt sheds only once per week while growing. Healthy sheds are thin and translucent, and fall off easily. If the shed becomes stuck or falls apart in pieces, it can be a sign of sickness.
Alpine newts eat excess skin, so the shedding process is often overlooked.
Breeding
Alpine newts reach sexual maturity in two- to three years. They can also breed easily if they are kept in pairs. They must be hibernated during winter. Slowly lower the temperature of the tank to 41 degrees F. After a few months, gradually raise the temperature to its normal range. The humidity level should be kept high in the tank.
A male will place a spermatophore (sperm packet) when he is interested in mating. He may also display courting behavior such as tail fanning and flank touching. Receptive females will follow their male counterparts and inhale the spermatophore via her Cloaca.
After mating, the female will start to lay eggs in water. Usually, these eggs are found among water plants. This can continue for three months. The average alpine newt lays between 30 and 500 eggs, which hatch in a matter of a month.
The larvae of the Alpine newt are small and have gills. The larvae should be fed smaller foods such as freshly-hatched brine shrimps, with a frequency of two meals per day.
How to choose and buy an Alpine Newt
Alpine newts are typically between $40 and $100. Although rare in pet shops, this species can be found online, at exotic pet shops, and at amphibian exhibitions. You can also find reputable breeders all over the globe.
Although the initial cost of an alpine newt may seem low, it is very costly to care for them over time due to their long life expectancy. Avoid wild-caught newts, as they can be susceptible to health problems and may not adapt well to living in captivity.
You should never release alpine newts in captivity into the wild as they can carry life-threatening diseases. Many places have laws that make it a crime to release alpine newts into the wild, including the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in the United Kingdom.
