Alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris)

Short answers

Alpine newt: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×40×40 cm, half water.

Alpine newt: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 12–20 °C (COOL), basking spot No basking spot, at night 8–14 °C.

Alpine newt: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Alpine newt: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–20 years.

Alpine newt: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

12–20 °C (COOL)

Night temperature

8–14 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

Aqua-terrarium

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×40 cm, half water

Substrate

A water section 15–25 cm deep with plants, a land section with moss and bark

Feeding

Food

Earthworms, freshwater shrimp, frozen food

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

8–12 cm

Life expectancy

10–20 years

Origin

Central and southern Europe

Protection status

Specially protected (German Federal Species Protection Ordinance) – taking them from the wild is prohibited

Brumation

A winter rest of 12–16 weeks at 3–8 °C

Cohabitation

A group. Only put together animals of the same species and roughly the same size — smaller ones will otherwise be treated as food. Offer enough hiding places so that every animal can retreat, and feed them separately when they differ in size.

Notes

A native newt with a brilliant orange belly. Keep it cool – above 22 °C things get critical, and a cool cellar room is ideal in summer. Legal captive-bred animals only.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex) – Intermediate
• Alpine salamander (Salamandra atra) – Expert
• Anderson's crocodile newt (Echinotriton andersoni) – Expert
• Anderson's salamander (Ambystoma andersoni) – Intermediate
• Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) – Beginner to intermediate
• Blue-tailed fire-bellied newt (Cynops cyanurus) – Beginner
• Chinese fire-bellied newt (Cynops orientalis) – Beginner
• Chinese fire-bellied newt (Cynops orphicus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×40 cm, half water), substrate (A water section 15–25 cm deep with plants, a land section with moss and bark), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.