Scientific Name: Mesotriton alpestris.
Common Names: Alpine Newt.
Distribution: Found in cold ponds, streams & lakes in central Europe. Ranging from the western coasts of France & the Netherlands, east into Russia & the Balkans, and South into northern Italy.
Size: 8-12cm.
Sexing: The males are the smaller and more slender sex, during breeding season they develop a low crest of black & yellow bars, and a violet sheen to the flanks and tail.
Colouration: The back is a very dark blue, green, tan, or grey lightening along the flanks which are marked with small dark spots. The underside can be a deep orange or light yellow.
Subspecies: There are several subspecies. Those commonly available include M. a. apuanus from Italy, which is almost entirely aquatic, and M. a. cyreni, which is found only in the Cantabrian mountains of Spain, this subspecies is slightly smaller than other varieties.
Requirements: Alpine Newts are mainly aquatic and require a relatively small aquarium. An 18x12x12" tank would be adequate for a pair or a 24x12x12" could house a group of 4 adults. Juveniles are largely terrestrial and will require a moist bark & moss substrate with pieces of cork bark placed to provide hides and a very shallow water bowl changed daily. Once adult these Newts can usually be maintained in a totally aquatic set-up, provided they have a few floating islands (pieces of cork or polystyrene) to climb out on to. A base substrate of gravel or sand is ideal with large pebbles, crockery and aquatic plants arranged to provide a number of hiding places. The water should be clean de-chlorinated or spring water at a depth of 20cm (8"). The water will need to be filtered using an under-gravel filter and partial water changes should be carried out at regular intervals. A water temperature of 5-22°C should be maintained and a low wattage fluorescent tube may be used as a light source to aid plant growth.
Feeding: Juvenile Newts should be fed daily with a mixture of suitably sized insects including hatchling crickets, aphids, fruitflies, Tubifex, bloodworm, and whiteworm. Adult Newts should be fed every other day with a mixture of earthworms, bloodworm, slugs, maggots, and Tubifex.
