Chinese Fire Belly Newt

[IAMSTEVE]

A new blog entry has been added:

Chinese Fire Belly Newt

I Noticed Last Night around 7pm That he was NOT in his tank.
I Instantly moved around all decor and sifted my fingers throughout the Gravel. He's NEVER Climbed Out befor Nor even Attempted.
Exept once While I was Cleaning Out His Tank He Climbed Out Of a 2 Litre Ice Cream Bucket (Cleansed Of Course).

[Green Ghost]

If your newt got out of the tank, he's in your house/apt. Check all the corners and dust balls, he's probably full of dust from walking on the floor because everything sticks to them. I'd say keep searching till you find him in your place.

I had a firebelly toad escape from one of my tanks and I thought he had been eaten at the time so I didn't search my place as hard as I should have. About 6 months later (which was 3 weeks ago) I found him dried up in a corner of my office because I moved furniture around.

You could try leaving shallow water trays in each room? Look in the corners and behind the fridge. They try to find hinding places. In the wild most amphibians actually find water by looking up at the sky, so I'm not sure your newt will be able to find water left out, but nothing to lose by trying. Speed is of the essence because your newt will dry up quickly. I don't think it could last more than a few hours, especially in winter with the heating on in the house.

[IAMSTEVE]

It's a fire belly newt.......

[Green Ghost]

I knew that.... I was just testing you


So any luck?

[benighted]

We had the same problem.. moved our fire belly newt to an open-top enclosure since we'd never seen him even try to climb on glass and after a few days he managed to escape. Found him a few days later crusted up behind the desk

[cruziohyla craspedopus]

I had the same as a kid. Couldn't find him one early winter night (Michigan) in my far second floor bedroom. Found him in the spring between carpet and sliding door (never used in winter) to back porch. He walked across 4 bedrooms on second floor, down the stairs and back across the house. To this day I feel badly about not finding him before it was too late, but am still amazed at the distance he traveled!

[Smitty]

Yeah, I've had a few problems too, usually when I'm working on my palaudrium... But luckily I've been able to fond each and every one of them before they got away. Could have something to do with the carpet though...