Fire Bellied Newts

One of the most amazing pets I have ever had are Fire Bellied Newts. These pets are extremely easy to care for and you won’t have to spend much money building their habitat. Fire Bellied Newts can live for up to 30 years if properly taken care of. When purchasing your new pet from your local pet store make sure your pet looks healthy, check the newts movements, make sure the newt isn’t lathargic. Many fire bellied newts are shipped a long distance to make it to your pet shop, this puts a lot of stress on their little bodies. Many times this stress will cause premature mortality. Ask the shop owner how long the animals have been at the store and where they were sent from, how they were shipped.

Before purchasing your fire bellied newts you should setup their habitat. I would recommend a 10 gallon tank for up to 3 newts. You should also have a filter to keep the water clean, this not only is healthier for the newt, but will make the nessesity for tank cleaning less often. When purchasing a filter make sure that it isn’t too powerful causing too strong of a current in the tank. You will also need gravel, pebbles, or some sooth rocks for the "land" part of the tank. You can use tap or spring water just make sure you let the water age for at least 24 hours before adding it. Your tank should consist of 1/3 land and 2/3 water, you fire bellied newt will spend most of its adult life in the water. I would also suggest some fake underwater plants, your newt won’t know the difference, these will make your newts new habitat feel more like home. Make sure that the land slowly slopes into the water making it easy for the newt to acess either land or water. 

 You can feed your newt store bought pellets. You may notice that some fire bellied newts are very picky about what they eat and may only eat fresh food. You can feed you newts small insects, worms, brine shrimp and things of that nature. It is very important that your newt has a healthy day/night schedule. You should provide 12 hours of night and 12 hours of day every day.

 Aside from the initial setup and feedings, you should probably clean the tank monthly. That’s it, very little work for a wonderful and beautiful pet.