Crested Newts for Sale!

~ BackwaterReptiles

Backwater Reptiles just received a shipment of Crested Newts (Triturus cristatus), also  known as Northern Crested Newts, Great Crested Newts, or Warty Newts. These fun, hardy, little amphibians are most known for their spectacular appearance during mating season, but more on that later.

triturus cristatus

Backwater’s Crested Newts are mid-sized, averaging about three inches in length, but these newts can grow to be up to seven inches long.  They are generally brownish-black in coloration with the exception of their undersides, which are vibrant yellow or orange-colored with dark blotches.

crested newt amphibian

As mentioned earlier, Crested Newts are well-known because during the mating season, the males present with large, jagged crests along their backs and tails which assist in their mating rituals and distinguish them from the females. They are easy to breed simply by replicating the cues they would follow in nature, which for this species is a drop in temperature for a few weeks followed by an increase in temperature.

crested newt care
Here’s a beautiful male Crested newt during breeding season.

Crested Newt Range and Food

The Crested Newt is native to Britain and Europe and has protected status overseas which means limited to no wild-caught animals are available, but the captive bred newts in the U.S. have adapted well and thrive in captivity. They can be housed in either a fully aquatic or semi-aquatic enclosure and eat a wide range of foods such as earthworms, bloodworms, and even frozen reptile pellets.

crested newt care sheet
Crested newt (Triturus cristatus)

If you’re interested in purchasing one of your own, or even a breeding pair, Backwater Reptiles has Crested Newts for sale.

How Do Tarantulas Molt?

~ BackwaterReptiles

Are you wondering how tarantulas molt? Has your tarantula flipped over on its back and you don’t know what to do? Don’t panic – it’s a completely normal indicator that your spider is healthy and growing.

You see, in order to grow, tarantulas must shed their old exoskeletons and the beginning of the process leaves them upside down with their bellies exposed

After flipping onto its back, the tarantula will lie very still for some time. Eventually the arachnid will wriggle its way out of its old exoskeleton, which is a difficult process that can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.

Tarantulas don’t have bones, so their exoskeleton is what supports them and protects their internal organs. One sign that your tarantula is getting ready to molt is you may see a bald spot developing on the top of its abdomen. This is almost always a precursor to a molt.

Tarantula preparing to molt
An upside down Brazilian Giant Salmon Tarantula preparing to molt.

Tarantula Molting Tips and Notes:

1) The spider will be vulnerable, so try not to move it, poke it, or prod it. Doing so can prove fatal for the molting tarantula.

2) Be patient with your arachnid. The molting process can be short (30 minutes) or longer (up to several hours).

3) Remove any feeder insects in the terrarium, especially crickets. The spider will be defenseless and crickets can be ruthless, believe it or not. They can kill a tarantula that’s in the process of molting.

4) Once the tarantula has crawled out of its old exoskeleton, its body will be soft and sensitive. It should be left alone for around three to four days to allow its new exoskeleton to harden. Avoid feeding your tarantula during this time frame as well.

5) If the tarantula was missing a leg, it will regenerate with the molt. The new limb might not be as hairy or large as the others, but it will look normal again with more molts. It’ll likely be a little thinner than the original.

Tarantula after molt
The same Brazilian Giant Salmon Tarantula after completing its molt.

After the molt, your tarantula will be at its most visually appealing–fresh, flawless, and vibrant. Just look at the picture above, of one of our Brazilian giants right after emerging from its exoskeleton–it’s just perfect.

If you’re quick, you can carefully remove the molted exoskeleton, which will look exactly like your tarantula (some people are confused as it can look like there are suddenly two tarantulas in the enclosure. You can then “pose” the molt and allow it to dry. It will then look just like your pet tarantula, and can make an excellent display piece.

We hope our article has been helpful in answering the question, “How do tarantulas molt?” Hopefully you understand the process and are now better prepared to care for your pet tarantula.

Backwater Reptiles has many tarantulas for sale, so you can buy a Giant Salmon tarantulas (like the one in the photos) directly from our website and have it delivered right to your residence. You can also read more about tarantula care to help prepare yourself.

Baby Reptiles and Amphibians

~ BackwaterReptiles

This week it’s been all about the little things…or rather, the little critters! Right now we’ve got an abundance of baby and juvenile reptiles for sale at Backwater Reptiles. Check some of them out below!

We’ve currently got baby Sulcata tortoises for sale. These gentle tortoises are very hardy and make great outdoor reptiles if you live in the proper climate-zone. Check out our Sulcata Tortoise species profile published earlier this week for more information on how to care for Sulcatas and what to expect if you adopt one.

Backwater also had a baby Panther chameleon born this week. The little guy is currently smaller than a penny, although we’re sure he or she will grow quickly.

baby reptile (lizard)
Here’s a baby Panther chameleon we hatched at our facility.
baby chameleon lizard
This shows just how small baby Panther chameleons are upon hatching. We held up a penny for scale.

We’re currently running a special sale on Eastern Box Turtle hatchlings. These captive bred turtles are also currently small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but they grow quickly when fed properly and will reach up to five or six inches in length. They can grow to recognize their owners’ voices, so get yours when it’s young and teach it good habits from the get-go.

baby turtle
Here’s one of our captive hatched baby Box turtles.

Baby Newts

Get your final dose of teeny tiny cuteness from our baby Fire Bellied Newts for sale. These tiny amphibians are currently about the size of a quarter but will grow to  be four to six inches in length. They are popular because they are nearly black on top, but their under carriages are a brilliant reddish-orange color, making for a surprisingly colorful critter.

baby newts (amphibians)
Who doesn’t love a baby Fire-bellied newt?

Sulcata Tortoise Care (Geochelone sulcata)

~ BackwaterReptiles

Would you like more information on Sulcata tortoise care in captivity? Sulcata tortoises (Geochelone sulcata) hail from Africa and have also been called African Spurred, African Spur Thigh, or just plain old Spurred Tortoises. They’re pretty common nowadays in the U.S. due to being bred successfully coupled with their ability to adapt easily to being kept in captivity.

Sulcata tortoise care sheet
Below we’ll explain how we care for these wonderful tortoises.

Sulcatas are the third largest tortoise species and it’s not uncommon for them to grow to 100 pounds or more. They grow rapidly for the first five to ten years of their life, but their growth rate slows with age.

Sulcata Tortoises as Pets

These particular tortoises are appealing pets to many people who live in warmer climates because the animals can be kept outside in the backyard instead of in a bulky cage or terrarium. They are perfectly happy outdoors so long as they are provided with hide boxes from the sun and places to dig as they are burrowers.

At Backwater Reptiles, we have baby Sulcatas that still fit in the palm of your hand. It is generally acceptable to keep the young tortoises indoors in a box-like enclosure with the same requirements as adults, although it is not unheard of to allow the younglings to live outdoors with the adults.

baby sulcata tortoise care
Here’s a baby Sulcata tortoise in motion.

Sulcatas are grazers and will eat plant matter in the yard as well as vegetative matter prepared and served to them by their owners. Outdoor babies generally have a hard time eating natural vegetation, so it is recommended they be served prepared meals of leafy greens.

While you can handle your Sulcata tortoise, the young ones are more susceptible to stress, so it is best if they are allowed to meander and carry on in their own little tortoise-y ways undisturbed. Adults tend to be hardier and not as bothered by being handled.

If you’re looking for a Sulcata of your very own, Backwater Reptiles has got you covered! We’ve got baby Sulcata Tortoises for sale now!

Sulcata tortoise
Sulcata tortoise (Geochelone sulcata)

How Do Scorpions Reproduce?

~ BackwaterReptiles

Are you wondering how scorpions reproduce? Believe it or not, baby scorpions are birthed live and do not hatch from eggs! They develop within the female scorpion until they’re ready to emerge.

The easiest sign of a pregnant scorpion is a heavily swollen mid-section. The area will look taught, and the exoskeleton sections will be stretched. Breeding scorpions isn’t considered difficult, but at the same time, rarely occurs in captivity because not many people are attempting it.

Newborn scorpions hitch a ride on their mother’s back until their exoskeletons harden, which generally takes 1-3 weeks. After they have sturdy exoskeletons to protect them, they scuttle off and live individual lives.

How scorpions reproduce
A mother scorpion defending her babies. Reproduction full-cycle.

Scorpion Reproduction Isn’t Always Pretty

These baby Asian Forest scorpions (Heterometrus spinifer) will grow up to be between three and a half to five inches long and they will live an average of six to ten years, making them long-lived pet companions.

The babies are ready to head to new homes after approximately one month–after they have undergone several molts. The mother will sometimes consume the babies if you’re not careful, so check on them often–scorpion reproduction isn’t always cute and cuddly.

Because they primarily eat insects and don’t get very large, Asian Forest Scorpions (and scorpions in general) are very easy to keep and maintain.

Their habitats can be fairly small and several can even be housed together, although it’s not highly recommended. If you are keeping more than one per enclosure, please ensure that each scorpion has its own hide, and plenty of food (crickets, waxworms, mealworms).

scorpion after reproduction
Here’s a close-up picture of some new scorpion babies

Due to their venomous nature, it’s not recommended to handle your scorpion without proper protective gear and the right equipment, although in general, scorpions are fairly docile.

It’s been said (although we haven’t tested this statement ourselves!) that at worst, a scorpion’s sting is just a little more painful than a bee sting. Their venom is one of the most valuable liquids on planet earth, valued at $38,858,507 per gallon according to a recent Wall Street journal article!

We’ve heard that if you’re allergic to a bee sting, a scorpion sting is just as dangerous, but this is hotly debated.

Hopefully we’ve been able to thoroughly answer the question, “How do scorpions reproduce?” If not, please drop us a line.

Although these particular little guys won’t be ready to be sold to new homes for around a month, you can still get your very own scorpions from Backwater Reptiles for only $12.99. Check out our selection of Asian Forest Scorpions for sale today!