Emperor newt (Tylototriton shanjing)

Short answers

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

80×40×40 cm aqua-terrarium.

Emperor newt: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 16–22 °C (briefly up to 25 °C, permanently above that harmful), basking spot No basking spot, at night 13–17 °C.

Emperor newt: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not essential.

Emperor newt: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

Emperor newt: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

16–22 °C (briefly up to 25 °C, permanently above that harmful)

Night temperature

13–17 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

70–85 % (semi-aquatic)

UVB

Not essential

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×40 cm aqua-terrarium

Substrate

A large land section of moss or coco humus, a shallow water section

Feeding

Food

Earthworms, insects, slugs

Feeding interval

adults 2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

14–19 cm

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

Yunnan (south-western China)

Protection status

EU Annex D

Brumation

A cool rest period of 6–12 weeks at 12–16 °C

Cohabitation

A group is possible. 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

Outside the spawning season it lives almost entirely on land – the land section has to be markedly larger than the water section. Decidedly sensitive to warmth: permanently above 24 °C is critical, and brief peaks above 26 °C can be fatal. The figures on some terrarium sites (24–26 °C daytime temperature) are at the upper limit and are deliberately not adopted here.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Emperor newt (Tylototriton shanjing) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Himalayan newt (Tylototriton verrucosus) – Intermediate
• 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
• Alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris) – Beginner
• Blue-tailed fire-bellied newt (Cynops cyanurus) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Emperor newt (Tylototriton shanjing) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×40 cm aqua-terrarium), substrate (A large land section of moss or coco humus, a shallow water section), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.