Husbandry of Spanish ribbed newts (Pleurodeles waltl).

Abstract

Research on urodele amphibians, such as newts, is constantly contributing to our understanding of fundamental biological processes. In the present chapter, we present detailed husbandry protocols for the Spanish ribbed newt (Pleurodeles waltl ). We describe the main phases of their life cycle, with emphasis on the progressive development of sensory, motor, and integration systems, which lead to the acquisition of specific stereotyped (and conditioned) behaviors. The methods are outlined to manage housing, feeding, handling, captive breeding, health monitoring, and euthanasia in this species under laboratory conditions. With minor changes, these protocols can also be applied to other species of urodele amphibians commonly used in laboratory research.