Anderson's crocodile newt (Echinotriton andersoni)

Short answers

Anderson's crocodile newt: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60×40×30 cm.

Anderson's crocodile newt: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–24 °C (briefly up to 25 °C, permanently above that dangerous), basking spot No basking spot, at night 11–17 °C.

Anderson's crocodile newt: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Anderson's crocodile newt: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

Anderson's crocodile newt: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–24 °C (briefly up to 25 °C, permanently above that dangerous)

Night temperature

11–17 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

60–80 %, with a moist leaf litter layer instead of a wet enclosure

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×40×30 cm

Substrate

Moist forest floor substrate with a thick layer of leaf litter (leaf litter to soil roughly 70:30), moss, cork bark and stones as hides, plus a shallow water area with a gently sloping, soft-edged bank

Feeding

Food

Earthworms (main food), woodlice, small slugs, wax moth larvae, small crickets individually with tongs

Feeding interval

2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

12–18 cm

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

Central Ryukyu Islands, Japan: Okinawa, Sesoko, Tokashiki, Amami-Oshima and Tokunoshima; extinct on Taiwan. Lowland and hill country from 3 to about 375 m

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; strictly protected in Japan and export is prohibited – only European captive-bred animals

Brumation

A cooler, damp period of 10–14 weeks in winter; only cool down moderately, as this species comes from subtropical lowlands rather than the mountains. The mating season afterwards runs from February to July, peaking March to May.

Cohabitation

Singly or as a pair. Both work: keeping them singly is always safe, and a pair works as long as both animals are roughly the same size and are fed separately. As soon as one animal refuses food, loses condition or shows injuries, separate them — that is not an exception but the normal case you plan for.

Notes

Strictly terrestrial despite being a "newt": it drowns in deep water. It can push its rib tips through the skin in defence – so handle it carefully. Very rare in captivity.

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Related species

• Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex) – Intermediate
• Alpine salamander (Salamandra atra) – Expert
• Anderson's salamander (Ambystoma andersoni) – Intermediate
• Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) – Beginner to intermediate
• Alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris) – Beginner
• 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 Anderson's crocodile newt (Echinotriton andersoni) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×40×30 cm), substrate (Moist forest floor substrate with a thick layer of leaf litter (leaf litter to soil roughly 70:30), moss, cork bark and stones as hides, plus a shallow water area with a gently sloping, soft-edged bank), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.