CARE GUIDE

Triturus dobrogicus

The Danube crested newt or Danube newt is a species of newt found in central and eastern Europe, along the basin of the Danube river and some of its tributaries and in the Dnieper delta. It has a smaller and more slender body than the other crested newts in genus Triturus but like these, males develop a conspicuous jagged seam on back and tail during breeding season.

NATURAL RANGE

Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania to the south of the Danube Delta and the extreme southeast of Ukraine and Moldova

HOUSING

Crested newts are hardy, robust newts that are very easy to maintain in captivity. They are tolerant of many different environments, and relatively easy to breed and rear. It is possible to maintain crested newts according to their natural cycle of aquatic and terrestrial life, or to maintain them aquatically all year round. An aquatic or terrestrial setup should be no smaller than 45x30x30 cm (18x12x12 inches) for two pairs. It is possible to create a semi-aquatic setup, which will accommodate both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. This would need to be correspondingly larger, in order to provide enough of each habitat. Depending on the space and resources available to the keeper, it may be easier to have a separate setup for each mode of life.

TEMPERATURE

Temperatures should be less than 25ºC (75ºF) – higher temperatures may induce the newts to attempt to leave the water. Crested newts will remain fully active down to around 10ºC (50ºF). Artificial lighting is not necessary for the benefit of the newts, as they are mainly nocturnal in the wild. However, it may help with breeding, and may be necessary for plant growth.

SIZE & LIFESPAN

Up to 18cm long

Up to 10 year lifespan

FEEDING

Crested newts in the aquatic phase will take a wide range of foods – appropriate live foods include pelleted diets, earthworms, freshwater shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia and whiteworms.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR

Danube crested newts do not have specific social requirements and mainly live solitarily. Provided there is enough space and food, they tolerate other individuals nearby. They can sometimes cohab with different fish species that do not pose a threat of predation.

SEXING

Distinguishing the sexes is relatively easy at all times- males have large cloacae, and are relatively slim. Females are much stockier, and may appear pear-shaped. When the animals are in breeding condition, it is unequivocal- males have high toothed crests, and a white flash along the sides of the tail.