Triturus marmoratus ‘European Marbled Newt’
Intro
Triturus marmoratus (Pronounced tri-tor-us mar-more-at-us), known as the European Marbled Newt, are green, black and orange newts that can grow to 17cm (6.7 inches) in length. Fairly easy to care for, these large newts are great for the beginner amphibian keeper who has done extensive research prior to obtaining and has an enclosure ready and waiting for their new pet.
Quick Stats:
Enclosure: 60cmX30cmX30cm(24”X12”X12”)
Heat: 18°C-25°C (65°F-77°F)
Humidity: 70-100%
Food: small crickets, or worms
Description
Triturus marmoratus newts are quite variable in their coloring and patterning. Predominantly green, with black blotches and an orange dorsal stripe, some newts can be more black blotched than green. Some specimens are more green than others, displaying a more vibrant hue. Adult, sexually mature males will lose their orange stripe, making them very easy to identify for breeding. A maximum 17cm (6.7 inches) in length, these are hefty, chubby newts.
Distribution and Natural Habitat
Marmoratus are native to Europe, specifically France, Spain, and Portugal. These newts like it wet, and are swimmers, so they are often located near or in ponds or streams. They will come out of the water to bask as well, and can be found in loamy beaches or riverbanks basking in the sun for short periods. These newts are listed by the IUCN Red List as “Least Concern”, meaning they are quite common and stable within their geographic range. Risks to their habitat include collection for the pet trade, expanding cities and towns, pollution in their water supplies and a deadly virus affecting newts and salamanders around the world.
Behavior
The Triturus newts are nocturnal, meaning they are awake at night. More terrestrial than other newts, marmoratus can often be found on the banks of streams or ponds, in the foliage. They do like to swim and soak as well, but they are much more likely to be found in the water if they are mature and ready to breed. It can take about 5 years for a newt to reach sexual maturity, so breeders can have a pretty long wait. Slow and plodding, these newts stroll along at a leisurely pace, and are also capable of digging shallow holes or exploring pre-existing ones. They can also be found in damp cellars. These newts like the lowlands within their range and do not live above 1000 metres. When sexually mature, these newts will return to the water. Males will flare up, a crest on their heads and a strip down their backs flaring up and out to express their readiness to breed with the local females. Females will choose the biggest male with the best decoration, and they will mate. After they are finished and the eggs are laid, they will leave the water and return to their dwellings.
Life in the Vivarium
Triturus newts require a humidity range of 70-100%. Half the vivarium should be water and half should be land, so the newt can choose which to utilize at it’s will. They will often be on the dry side, but a wet side must be present for soaking, in case the newt is feeling dry.
Marmoratus thrive at temperatures near 22°C (71°F) but can survive a range of 18°C-25°C (65°F-70°F). Never exceed 27°C (75°F) as this can be fatal to the newts. Generally a heat source such as a pad or light is not needed on a newt vivarium, apart from any lighting for plants and UVB depending on personal preference. UVB for these newts is a highly debated topic, and does not as of yet have any concrete evidence for or against. Triturus newts are nocturnal, so they likely would not receive much sunlight in the wild. If you are unsure, you can always supplement with vitamin D3 during feeding. Do not rely on sunshine from a window, because the sun through the glass will heat up to extremely unsafe temperatures very quickly. Keep note of any air conditioning or heaters used in your home as well, as they may affect the temperature in your newt cage. These newts will appreciate a slight temperature drop to 18C (64F) at night, and can function happily at temperatures as low as 5C (41F).
It is possible to house a single juvenile marmoratus in a 20 gallon aquarium. We recommend larger than this, with 60cmX30cmX30cm(24”X12”X12”) being fine for 2 newts – but bigger is always better.
As juveniles you can house several marmoratus together, and as adults they do well in groups or colonies. Remember to increase the enclosure size substantially the more newts you add. 10 gallons per newt should be the minimum.
These animals should be handled as little as possible, preferably not at all. They have semi-permeable skin, meaning they absorb anything on your hands. The natural oils present in our skin is bad for these newts, so gloves should be worn when handling.
It is possible that your Triturus will live for 20-30 years in a vivarium. Please consider this before deciding to take them home to your family.
Marmoratus require small live prey to hunt. This is easily achieved by providing them with flightless or wingless fruit flies and crickets. Baby and juvenile marmoratus will eat Drosophila hydei. Crickets at 3 weeks of age are the appropriate size for adult marmoratus. The flies and crickets on their own are a poor nutritional source. We recommend “dusting” your fruit flies or crickets with a high quality vitamin and mineral supplement. Include D3 if not providing the newts with a UVB bulb.
It is very common to build a bioactive vivarium for your newts. This is achieved by introducing isopods and springtails into the environment. These little land crustaceans (no they are not insects!) will eat the decaying and decomposing bio matter as well as any excess feces in the vivarium. Some of these micro fauna will be eaten by your newt, as a little snack.
As with all our newts, we do not recommend that you house multiple species or morphs together. Please supply each group with a vivarium to call their own.
Breeding in Captivity
Marmoratus are fairly easy to breed in captivity. At about 5 years of age, males and females will reach sexual maturity. At this time, if housed together, drop the temperature to 10C (50F) for a month and feed less. After this month, increase temperatures to normal. This will stimulate breeding, and your newts should migrate into the water. The male will flare up, displaying a crest and dorsal flap. Some males also expand their tails on top and bottom into a fin. The newts will mate and the female will deposit around 400 eggs into the water. The newts will then return to the land portion. Marmoratus will not care for their young, so that is up to the keeper. Eggs must be kept wet and submerged until they hatch. They will hatch in about 16 days, and metamorphosis will follow in 60-90 days. While aquatic, newts will eat newt or fish food, and dead fruit flies. Once out of the water they will eat fruit flies, isopods, and crickets. We also feed our newts small worms and frozen bloodworms when ready to breed.
Final Notes
Triturus marmoratus are large, chubby European newts. Slow and deliberate, these big guys and gals make a great aquatic pet. Fairly uncommon in the North American pet hobby, breeders are needed to produce more of these newts and expand their captive range.
