Emperor Newt

Looks how to spot one

Rough, warty skin with bony ridges

The emperor newt has a dark brownish-black body with a flat, broad-finned tail. It has distinct bony ridges on its head and back, and a row of warts running down each side. The bright orange or yellow markings on its head and along its back are warning colours, as the warts contain poison glands.12

Personality what they are like

Emperor newts are generally docile and secretive, preferring to hide under logs or moss during the day. They are slow-moving and mostly solitary, only coming together in the breeding season. They rarely show aggression, but they will release a toxic skin secretion if threatened, so handling should be kept to a minimum.51

Daily activity how busy a day looks

These newts are crepuscular and nocturnal, spending the day hidden. They are not very active and do not need much space to roam, but they do need a terrarium with plenty of hiding spots and a shallow water dish. They are poor swimmers and should not be kept in deep water.54

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Handling should be avoided as much as possible. If you must move the newt, use moistened gloves and scoop it gently into a container. Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after any contact, as their skin is permeable and their secretions can irritate. Keep the terrarium clean to prevent ammonia build-up, which they are very sensitive to.51

Home where they are happiest

A woodland terrarium of at least 60x45x30 cm is recommended, with a deep, damp substrate of topsoil and coconut fibre, covered with moss and cork bark for hiding. Provide a shallow water bowl. Keep temperatures between 18 and 22°C, and never above 25°C, as they are heat-sensitive. A winter brumation at 8-12°C helps stimulate breeding. Maintain high humidity (75-85%) and good ventilation. A 5% UVB light is beneficial. Note: this species is near threatened and protected in some areas, so check local laws before keeping.52

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Emperor newts are strictly carnivorous. In the wild they eat earthworms, centipedes, snails and other small invertebrates. In captivity, feed a staple of earthworms, along with crickets, waxworms (as an occasional treat), and small roaches. Dust food with calcium and vitamins weekly.523

Company who they like around

Emperor newts are mostly solitary and only seek company during breeding. They can be kept in small groups of one male with several females, but avoid housing them with smaller newts as cannibalism may occur. They are peaceful and do not need company, but they do need plenty of hiding spots to feel secure.5

The story where it all began

The emperor newt has long been classified together with the Himalayan newt, but it is now recognised as a separate species. It is found only in a small region of western China, where it has been over-harvested for traditional Chinese medicine and suffers from habitat loss. In the pet trade, it is rarely seen in the US in recent years, so hobbyists are encouraged to seek out captive-bred individuals from breeders.123