How to Breed a Newt

Unfortunately, breeding newts is not an exact science. Newts are just as fickle about their mating patterns and partners as other creatures in the animal kingdom. However, there are a few things an owner can do to encourage their newts to multiply.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check water quality and levels in the newt’s habitat. It is essential that you keep clean water in your newt’s habitat. Higher levels of water may also encourage mating behavior.

2. Feed your newt regularly and generously. Availability of food sources convinces newts that conditions are favorable for breeding, as well as keeping them nourished enough to progress in breeding activities. In their diet, include foods that are high in fat, such as worms.

3. Mind the lighting in your newts’ habitat. The lighting that you provide for your newts’ habitats, whether artificial or natural, aids in setting their internal, biological clocks. Finding the appropriate lighting that mimics their mating season helps convince the newts that it is breeding season.

4. Regulate the habitat’s temperature. Encourage breeding by artificially cooling their habitat and fostering conditions for hibernation. When they awake, they will be naturally predisposed to breeding behavior.

5. Note changes in appearance when the newts awake from hibernation. Size and color changes may indicate that the newts are ready to breed.

6. Research your species of newt for further information about their specific mating requirements. Check books or conduct an Internet search specific to your species of newt and apply all information in a responsible manner.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not physically stress your newts by artificially cooling your newts using extreme measures, like placing them in refrigerators. Such activities are dangerous and could be lethal to them. Simply try moving them to cooler, darker parts of your house, like a basement.
• Do not attempt to force your newt into mating behavior. Newts, like other creatures, have individual as well as biological preferences and may require more time or other factors to complete a mating season.