Scientific Name: Pleurodeles waltl.
Common Names: Sharp Ribbed Salamander, Spanish Ribbed Newt, Rough Spanish Newt, Iberian Ribbed Newt.
Distribution: Central & Southern Iberia, Morocco.
Size: 15-30cm.
Sexing: Males of this species have slightly longer & deeper tails, also during breeding season nuptial pads develop on the forelimbs.
Colouration: The back is grey marked with darker brown blotches, the underside is a lighter creamy gray. Rows of yellowish orange warts run down the sides each marking the tip of a protruding rib.
Requirements: Sharp Ribbed Newts are Europe's largest species of Salamander and require a relatively large aquarium. A 36x12x15" tank would be adequate for a small group of 3 - 4 adults. These Newts can be maintained in a totally aquatic set-up, provided they have a few floating islands (pieces of cork) to climb out on to. A base substrate of smooth gravel or river sand is ideal with large pebbles and a dense array of aquatic plants, rocks, wood & pots arranged to provide a number of hiding places. The water should be clean de-chlorinated or spring water at a depth of 20cm (8") - 25cm (10"). The water will need to be filtered to avoid the build up of ammonia and bacteria. A water temperature of 10-22°C should be maintained and a low wattage fluorescent tube or compact flourecent bulb may be used as a light source.
Maintenance: Gravel should be syphoned and partial water changes should be carried out at regular intervals.
Feeding: Juvenile Newts should be fed daily with a mixture of suitably sized items including Pollywog Amphibian Pellets, bloodworm, Tubifex, glass worm, chopped prawn, chopped mussle, shrimp, and some grindle or white worm. Adult Newts should be fed every few days with a mixture of Pollywog Amphibian Pellets, earthworms, slugs, maggots, bloodworm, Tubifex, and Shrimp.
