Amphibians
Alpine newt care guide
Ichthyosaura alpestris
A small European mountain newt that needs cold water. It is aquatic in the breeding season and often more terrestrial the rest of the year.
Aquatic — water volume and floor area first
Alpine newt enclosure size
Aquatic — water volume and floor area first. An adult alpine newt should live in at least 20" L × 10" W × 12" H; we build toward 24" L × 12" W × 12" H (2 × 1 × 1 ft, roughly 2 sq ft of floor and about a 15-gallon glass equivalent).
Offer both water and a damp land area.
- Hatchling / baby
- 16" L × 8" W × 10" H recommended · min 12" L × 8" W × 8" H
- Juvenile
- 20" L × 10" W × 12" H recommended · min 16" L × 8" W × 10" H
- Adult
- 24" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 20" L × 10" W × 12" H
Temperature and heating
No heat. A cool basement or a chiller is often needed in summer.
- Basking / warm surface
- No basking spot
- Warm side (ambient)
- Water 55–65°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- Never above 70°F
- Night
- Cooler is fine
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Not required. Run lights on a Follow natural seasonal daylight photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target Water plus a land area at 70–90%. Moist moss or coco fiber on the land side; keep the water cold and clean.
Substrate and depth
Sand in water; moss or coco fiber on land. Depth: 1–2 in on land.
Water and filtration
- Water depth
- 6–8 in
- Filtration
- Low-flow sponge filter
- Basking dock
- Easy exit to the land area
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Land area with moss
- Cork bark
- Aquatic plants
- Tight-fitting lid
Build list
- Liquid water test kit — Log ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH weekly.
- Sponge filter — Gentle flow that won't batter small aquatic amphibians.
- Water conditioner / RO water — Chlorine and chloramine burn permeable skin.
Alpine newt FAQ
How big should an adult Alpine newt enclosure be?
At least 20" L × 10" W × 12" H, and we recommend building to 24" L × 12" W × 12" H — about 2 × 1 × 1 ft, or a 15-gallon glass equivalent. Aquatic — water volume and floor area first.
What temperatures does an Alpine newt need?
Basking or warm surface No basking spot, warm side Water 55–65°F, cool side Never above 70°F, night Cooler is fine. No heat. A cool basement or a chiller is often needed in summer.
Does an Alpine newt need UVB?
Not required. Photoperiod: Follow natural seasonal daylight.
What humidity does an Alpine newt need?
Water plus a land area at 70–90%. Moist moss or coco fiber on the land side; keep the water cold and clean.
What substrate is best for an Alpine newt?
Sand in water; moss or coco fiber on land, at a depth of 1–2 in on land.
How big does an Alpine newt enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 16" L × 8" W × 10" H recommended, minimum 12" L × 8" W × 8" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Is there anything to be careful about when keeping an Alpine newt?
Overheating is the main risk. Wash hands before and after handling, never use soap or untreated tap water, and keep handling to a minimum.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own alpine newt record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.