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AmphibianTerrestrialIntermediate
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Emperor Newt
Tylototriton shanjing
The Emperor newt is a strikingly colored, highly terrestrial amphibian with an orange-ridged black body. A poor swimmer, it demands a 100L woodland terrarium with high humidity, moist soil, and a shallow water dish.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Caudata
Family:Salamandridae
Genus:Tylototriton
Species:Tylototriton shanjing
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
70 - 90 %
Day temperature
15 - 22 °C
Night temperature
10 - 15 °C
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to the damp mountain forests, bamboo groves, and terraced rice paddies of Yunnan Province, China, at elevations between 1,000 and 2,500 meters. Mostly terrestrial.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Family Salamandridae. Tylototriton shanjing. Commonly known as the Emperor Newt or Mandarin Newt. Prized in terrariophilia for its unique, dragon-like appearance. Threatened by habitat loss.
Behavior and Habits: Strictly terrestrial and slow-moving. Crepuscular and nocturnal, spending the day hidden under damp logs or moss. They enter shallow water only to breed in spring.
Morphology: Robust body reaching 13-17 cm. The head is wide and flat with bony ridges. Skin is exceptionally dry, bumpy, and granular. Contrast of jet-black body with a bright orange head, tail, and double row of dorsal knobs.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Horizontal forest terrarium (minimum 60x45x30 cm). Provide a deep, damp substrate of topsoil and coconut fiber covered with a thick layer of live moss and cork bark shelters. Provide a shallow water bowl.
Lighting and Heating: Cool, humid climate. Keep temperatures strictly at 18-22°C. Avoid temperatures above 25°C as they are highly sensitive to heat stress. Provide a cold winter brumation at 8-12°C to stimulate breeding. 5% UVB light is recommended.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain high humidity (75-85%). Mist daily with declorinated water. Ensure excellent ventilation to prevent respiratory and skin infections from stagnant conditions.
Feeding and Supplementation: Strictly carnivorous. Feed earthworms (staple diet), soft-bodied insects, and small roaches. Do not overfeed. Dust food with calcium and vitamins weekly.
Compatibility: Peaceful and gregarious. Can be kept in small groups (one male, multiple females) of similar size. Avoid housing with smaller newts as cannibalism may occur.
Health and Common Diseases: Highly sensitive to ammonia build-up; change substrate regularly. Possesses toxic skin secretions; never handle with bare hands. Avoid high temperatures.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to the damp mountain forests, bamboo groves, and terraced rice paddies of Yunnan Province, China, at elevations between 1,000 and 2,500 meters. Mostly terrestrial.
Origin
East Asia
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- No verified data available
- 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
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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