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I have 3 Chinese Fire belly newts in a nice terrarium but I've got a concern or maybe just a question. I set this up today and I put gravel in (that's what I read in a "care for your newt" book at the LFS) but then I get home and do some more research and find that moss or sand is recomended as the gravel could harm the newts or they could ingest it and get sick or die. Does anyone else have any newts or maybe you have had some and know if sand will be okay? I'd prefer some white sand but would put in moss if it's the only way to go. I've got a link to the pic I took of my terrarium tonight. It's [link=http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dnrfleener/detail?.dir=/5026&.dnm=d84b.jpg]http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dnrfleener/detail?.dir=/5026&.dnm=d84b.jpg" style="COLOR: #FF4040[/link]
. Thanks for any input or advice.

Robin

I know that ACF's, Axo's, etc, can ingest gravel and it can "plug them up", but it isn't always a serious issue. Sometimes they may pass through their system, sometimes they ignore the substrate completely and don't eat it, but it does cause problems with many pets.

I currently have 2 ACF's in a tank with a gravel substrate, which they munch at often, and later pass. Sand or large stones will work, but I'm not sure if newts like to sit on large stones. This week, I'm going to tear down my ACF tank and replace the gravel with river stones so they won't have any gravel to eat.

I'd reccomend sand, or any other substrate that can be easily passed or digested if ingested

HTH

My newt has been in gravel for 8 years now, and he has been fine.