Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex)

Short answers

Italian crested newt: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×40×40 cm with about two-thirds water area — enough for 2 to 4 animals; each additional animal adds around a quarter more floor space.

Italian crested newt: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 14–22 °C, never permanently above 24 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 8–15 °C.

Italian crested newt: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Italian crested newt: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 12–20 years.

Italian crested newt: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

14–22 °C, never permanently above 24 °C

Night temperature

8–15 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

Aqua-terrarium

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×40×40 cm with about two-thirds water area — enough for 2 to 4 animals; each additional animal adds around a quarter more floor space

Substrate

A water section 25–35 cm deep and densely planted, a land section with moss

Feeding

Food

Earthworms, freshwater shrimp, frozen food

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

12–18 cm total length (females exceptionally over 20 cm)

Life expectancy

12–20 years

Origin

The southern Alps, Italy, the Balkans

Protection status

Protected (Habitats Directive Annex IV) – proof of captive breeding required

Brumation

Winter dormancy 12–16 weeks at 4–8 °C, in water or on land in damp moss; no feeding during this period

Cohabitation

Group. Only keep animals of the same species and roughly the same size together — smaller ones will otherwise be treated as food. Different crested newt species must never be kept together: they will hybridise, and such hybrids are unsuitable for both breeding and rehoming. Provide plenty of hiding places and dense planting so that every animal can retreat, and feed separately if there is a size difference.

Notes

A large crested newt with a tall dorsal crest in its aquatic dress. It spends the mating season entirely in the water – the water section has to be correspondingly large and well planted.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Marbled newt (Triturus marmoratus) – Intermediate
• Great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) – 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 Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×40×40 cm with about two-thirds water area — enough for 2 to 4 animals; each additional animal adds around a quarter more floor space), substrate (A water section 25–35 cm deep and densely planted, a land section with moss), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.