Aww, s/he's so cute! (I'm fairly certain that you have a lovely young lady, although you will likely have to wait a little while to be certain. Males will develop fairly obvious bits -not nearly as obvious as rats lol but you would know haha! Also, the way it's carrying it's tail tells me that it's most likely a female)
Has the water cleared up yet? Also, has she been spending most of her time on land or in the water? Many FB newts, after a recent move, will refuse to go in the water until they are settled. Since they are a primarily aquatic species, this is not really the best thing for them to do but it's also not a big deal either. I'm just telling you so you know to keep an eye on the behavior. If she is remaining terrestrial and the behavior doesn't resolve itself after a reasonable amount of time has passed, the majority of the land area may need to be removed until she realizes the water is a better place for her to be. A water testing kit would also be a good thing to invest in, if you don't already have one. Since they are aquatic, they really should be treated more like fish. Water chemistry is key in the health of these animals.
A few more silk plants, both on land and in the water, would probably help her feel more secure too.
Chinese Fire Bellied Newts (
C. orientalis) have the potential to live to be around 20 years old. Sadly, the majority of FB's kept as pets are lucky if they reach their 1st birthday, much less live out their full lives (victoria, that is awesome that your aunt and uncle's FB has lived so long! He is a
very lucky little guy!! :thumbup: )
Healthwise, these are
very hardy animals, especially as amphibians go. Again, the main reason so many people (and pet stores :redhot: ) have problems with them is because of the water. I cannot stress the importance of water quality enough! Like I said, these are tough animals who can survive in a wide range of water conditions but they have to be met halfway if they are going to
thrive.
Anyways, I feel like I'm going off on a rant...Ratty Momma, I'm sure you are as great a Fire Bellied Newt Momma as you are to your rats
My only suggestions would be to clear up that water ASAP, watch how often she's going into the water (if applicable), and add a few more silk plants (not plastic. They're too rigid and often have sharp edges...an accident waiting to happen with a FB newt's delicate skin) Also, you should try to get a little more weight on her. She's still pretty young, so she should be fed every day with food that's dusted 3x a week. Once she gets some weight on, gradually slow down the frequency of feedings to 3-4x a week and a dusted meal once a week. Also, with amphibs, handling should be avoided or, at least, kept to a minimum.
I'm so glad that Arfur Lucy has such a great new home! :thumbup: