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Algerian Ribbed Newt
Pleurodeles nebulosus
The Algerian Ribbed Newt is the smaller, deeply aquatic African cousin of the giant Iberian ribbed newt. It is extremely hardy and shares the family’s unique defense mechanism of piercing sharp ribs.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Caudata
Family:Salamandridae
Genus:Pleurodeles
Species:Pleurodeles nebulosus
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
30 - 40 %
Day temperature
20 - 25 °C
Night temperature
18 °C
Ambient temperature
20 - 25 °C
Minimum enclosure
>= 45 L
UVB
None
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to slow-moving rivers, desert oases, temporary rocky pools, and wadis of North Africa, primarily in Algeria and Tunisia. The Algerian ribbed newt is adapted to extreme seasonal fluctuations, surviving dry summers by estivating in dried mud and returning to active aquatic life during rainy periods.
Taxonomy and Genetics: A robust and heavy-bodied newt, with adult females reaching 15–22 cm in length. The skin is highly tuberculated and slimy, with a dull coloration ranging from misty grey to olive-brown or dark green with fine mottling. Along the flanks, a row of orange-tipped warts marks the locations where the ribs can puncture through the skin as a defensive mechanism. Males are more slender with highly developed forelimbs and swollen cloacae.
Behavior and Habits: Highly aquatic and predominantly nocturnal. During the day, they remain quiet on the substrate or hidden under aquatic debris. At night, they actively forage for food, consuming fish, worms, and aquatic insects. In the breeding season, males perform underwater courtship dances and clasp females tightly.
Morphology: Females are significantly larger and bulkier than males, particularly when carrying eggs, while adult males develop nuptial pads on their forelimbs and have a more prominent cloaca.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Best kept in a spacious aquarium (80–100 cm in length, 100+ liters). Use a substrate of very fine sand or keep the tank bottom bare; gravel must be avoided as it can be easily swallowed and cause fatal impaction. Provide hiding places using large PVC pipes, smooth rocks, or robust live plants, and install a powerful filter as these newts produce a significant amount of waste.
Lighting and Heating: Prefers temperate conditions with water temperatures between 20°C and 25°C. A heater is generally unnecessary unless room temperatures drop excessively, as they are very hardy. Moderate LED lighting is sufficient for viewing and plant growth, ensuring they have shaded areas.
Humidity and Hydration: As a fully aquatic species in captivity, they do not require land areas, although a floating piece of cork bark can be provided. Regular water changes of 30–40% weekly, along with declorinated water, are vital to keep ammonia and nitrite levels at zero and protect their sensitive skin.
Feeding and Supplementation: Highly opportunistic carnivores. Feed a diet of earthworms, bloodworms, small fish, and sinking carnivore pellets. They have an immense appetite and can easily become obese, so feeding should be regulated. Dusting food with calcium is beneficial for growing juveniles.
Compatibility: Due to their predatory nature, they will attempt to swallow any tankmate that fits in their mouth, including smaller newts and fish. They should be housed in a species-only tank, either singly or in groups of similar size.
Health and Common Diseases: Extremely hardy, but sensitive to poor water quality, which can cause bacterial infections (red-leg syndrome) or fungal growths. The defensive ribs secrete a mild toxin; wash hands thoroughly after maintenance and avoid handling them unless necessary, as they have delicate skin.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Endemic to slow-moving rivers, desert oases, temporary rocky pools, and wadis of North Africa, primarily in Algeria and Tunisia. The Algerian ribbed newt is adapted to extreme seasonal fluctuations, surviving dry summers by estivating in dried mud and returning to active aquatic life during rainy periods.
Origin
Africa and Madagascar
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 18.1 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Toxicity
- No verified data available
- Life stage
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 18.1 cm. The AmphiBIO v1 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 18.1 cm for this species, recorded as total length (TL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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