Rough Skinned Newt
(Taricha granulose)

Rough skinned newts can be found along the coastlines of northwest North America from southwest Alaska to the San Francisco Bay area and grow up to seven inches long. The rough skinned newt is a generally plain dark brown body with a bright yellow or orange underskinned and a thin orange crest which runs down the lower tail. The skin is ususally granulated except for some times during the breeding series when the skin is smooth. Rough skinned newts are also identifiable by therir well-developed limbs and flattened head. Rough skinned newts secrete a toxin as a defense mechanism.

Difficulty

NOVICE: The rough skinned newt's is an excellent choice for hobbyists to keep.

Requirements

An enclosure, such as:

• Glass or acrylic aquarium (20 gallons or more, depending on the number of rough skinned newts kept) with a secure lid
• Aquarium Filter

Substrate, such as:

• Large Aquarium Gravel

A heating element, such as:

• None

Enclosure

A 20-gallon aquarium with a secure lid should be adequate for a pair of rough skinned newts. A semi-aquatic setup will be needed for rough skinned newts so they have a place to climb out of the water and have a land area to bask or hide. There are a couple of ways to acheive this. First, you can divide the tank in half using a piece of Plexiglas and silicone to create a dry and water area. If that is not an option you can add gravel and slope it out of the water to create a land area. You can always have a mostly aquatic setting and use rocks or platforms at the water's surface for the rough skinned newts to climb on to. However you setup the enclosure, there should be at least three to four inches of water to swim in an a ratio of one third land and two third water is best. A submersible filter will be needed as well as weekly partial water changes. A tight fitting top is needed because rough skinned newts can climb the walls and get out.

Heating and Light

Rough skinned newts should have daytime temperatures of 65°F to 75°F. Nightime temperatures should be 60°F to 65°F. If needed, a spotlight with an appropriate wattage incandescnet bulb or ceramic emitter can be used to provide heat. Rough skinned newts do not require UV emitting bulbs, but if using live plants in your enclosure you should use a plant grow bulb. An aquarium heater can also be used to raise the water temperature. Many hobbyists will install thermometers or thermostats in the enclsosure to be able to accurately maintain these temperatures.

Diet

Rough skinned newts can be offere several different foods. Tubiflex worms, small earthworms, small fish, brine shrimp, beef heart, and crickets can all be offered. Commercially available newt food or sinking fish food pellets can also be fed.