Smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris)

Short answers

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

An aqua-terrarium with a water and land section; from ~60–80 cm in length for a small group; densely planted, structured and without fish.

Smooth newt: What temperature does it need?

Daytime cool: 15–20 °C (never permanently above 22 °C), at night 10–18 °C.

Smooth newt: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No strong UVB needed; subdued light is enough.

Smooth newt: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 10–15 years (sometimes up to ~20 in captivity).

Smooth newt: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

cool: 15–20 °C (never permanently above 22 °C)

Night temperature

10–18 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

high (land phase humid); in the water phase, in the water

UVB

No strong UVB needed; subdued light is enough

Enclosure

Minimum size

an aqua-terrarium with a water and land section; from ~60–80 cm in length for a small group; densely planted, structured and without fish

Substrate

Land section: damp soil, moss and leaf litter with hides; water section: fine sand or gravel, densely planted

Feeding

Food

Aquatic phase: mosquito larvae, daphnia, tubifex, freshwater shrimp; land phase: small insects, worms, isopods

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

7–11 cm (males in the aquatic phase have a wavy dorsal crest)

Life expectancy

approx. 10–15 years (sometimes up to ~20 in captivity)

Origin

Europe (Ireland and Britain to the Caucasus); the commonest newt species in Germany

Protection status

A native species, SPECIALLY PROTECTED (German nature conservation law with the Federal Species Protection Ordinance); taking or catching them in the wild is prohibited. Keep only legal captive-bred animals with proof of origin; mind any registration duty depending on your state.

Brumation

A winter rest is essential (about October to February, 4–8 °C, ~3–4 months); the seasonal shift between the aquatic and land phases must be simulated

Cohabitation

Group housing works well, smooth newts are sociable towards each other and not territorial. Keep only similarly sized animals of the same species in a large enough, fish-free tank (at least 60x40x40 cm for four adults); fish eat spawn and larvae and must not be kept together with them.

Notes

A native protected species – legally tricky, and only captive-bred animals with documentation. Cool conditions are essential (room temperature is often too warm in summer). The seasonal rhythm (aquatic and terrestrial phases, a winter rest) has to be reproduced. Delicate skin – avoid handling.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus) – Intermediate
• Bosca's newt (Lissotriton boscai) – 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (an aqua-terrarium with a water and land section; from ~60–80 cm in length for a small group; densely planted, structured and without fish), substrate (Land section: damp soil, moss and leaf litter with hides; water section: fine sand or gravel, densely planted), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.