WARNING: obnoxiously long post. If that upsets or offends you in any way, please turn back now. I try to answer as many questions as I can before they’re asked. I’m real dumb and don’t know how to use a phone so please read and understand because I won't be calling back or responding to messages on any platform. When you're the only guy offering something, almost everyone who wants it reaches out to you and nobody has time for that, I work long hours and probably have more newts than everyone I know combined. If you don’t like the way I do things, you’re always encouraged to do it yourself and leave me alone. You have two weeks to figure some things out. Stop reading the wrong tone into this, I’m not being mean to you!
I will have the following captive bred newts available at the Chicago Reptile House booth at NARBC Tinley Park, IL October 10-11. All locally produced and raised by yours truly right here in the vast desert of corn. All are always first come, first served starting with VIP pass holders at 8:00am Saturday. Not Friday, no holds and no shipping, ever. This is the only place I sell newts, before and after the show they are not available. VIP passes are always available. I deal with people one at a time at the table so you can either wait your turn or don’t stop by at all, we won’t even miss you! If someone cuts in front of you, let me know so I make sure not to share with them. Rudeness will not be rewarded so don’t forget your manners at home. Vendors can either wait until I take care of VIP pass holders, so like 8:30, or don’t stop by at all! That part upsets a few people so I’ll tell you a quick story. In March, a guy came up to the table and told me he flew out from California just to pick up newts. The plane he was on almost crashed because of the crazy Friday wind. People were crying and puking in the aisle, it was a real big mess. Imagine if he went through all of that, got to the table and I told him “oh, you know what, I sold those to a vendor before you were even allowed to get in the room!" That wouldn’t be cool so I don’t do it that way. Want to argue with me about it? No newts for you! I don't work for you!
I guarantee most people probably shouldn't keep these. Aside from that, there are absolutely no guarantees or refunds whatsoever. Some people can't keep guppies and Pothos plants alive. Neurergus, Laotriton and Ommatotriton top the list of newts that are incredibly easy to kill unintentionally, regardless of your level of confidence. Yet, those are the ones everyone seems to want! They’ll be in clear containers so you can examine them, count them and make sure you’re getting what you want before you pay and go away. We won’t be ripping each other off, so that’s a win. Once you make up your mind, I appreciate if you just get away from me. Don’t linger. We’re not friends, none of us are friends. I'll probably be nice to you, but we only exist in the same space, that’s all.
The scientific names are listed below so you can do some basic research to figure out if you can keep these things. I don’t have the time to walk you through everything you'll need to know. We all have the internet, please use it! Even if you're only buying a live plant, Google it first! Sheesh. The Caudata Culture care sheets are a good place to start reading. If anything is unclear or you have specific questions, stop by and talk with me. I’m not as mean as you think! I’ll be more than happy to explain what I do to keep them. What works for me doesn’t work for everyone though, and people on social media will tell you I gave you bad advice if I write honest care sheets based upon what works well for me. You know, the people who have read something online and enjoyed a little bit of luck with a couple of newts so of course they've dubbed themselves experts!
Depending on the species, they’ll be packed in inseparable groups in the quantities listed before the prices. You either take the group in the container or take none at all. The prices are also listed below, not a surprise. So when you ask your spouse for permission you can ask for some money.
The number in parenthesis () before the name is the minimum quantity I’ll have with me to give you a better idea of how early to arrive or not. Just be aware that in March I brought around 500 newts and they were all gone well before 10am. The word “few” means I’ll bring at least one but probably not more than 10 so maybe don’t bother. I’ve highlighted some quantities in red to indicate you shouldn't make the trip to get those because you probably won't be first. If you think I’m joking you’re welcome to find out for yourself. There will be a limit on the number of some animals any one person can buy before 9:30am Saturday to maximize the number of people who can get them.
Again, if any part of this bothers you or you have a better way, don’t buy anything from me. Why did you even bother reading all of that? Go on and do it yourself.
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(100+) Cynops ensicauda ensicauda 3 for $100 (terrestrial) -limit 12 per person before 9:30am. I have many, they’re small, see me at the end of the show for a better price on what’s left. 9:45am Saturday is not the end of the show.
(30+) Cynops pyrrhogaster (Kyusu Island, Japan) 2 for $100 (terrestrial) – limit 8 per person before 9:30am
(30+) Hypselotriton orientalis 3 for $100 (terrestrial) they're small when fully grown so these babies are even smaller.
(30+) Ichthyosaura apuana 3 for $100 (labelled to indicate if they’ve been kept aquatic or terrestrial) -Limit 9 per person before 9:30am.
(30+) Laotriton laoensis 2 for $100 (terrestrial) limit 8 per person before 9:30am. These get huge but the juveniles are relatively small, slow moving, slow growing and delicate. They need slow moving prey, excellent ventilation, a moisture gradient, a clean environment and even some people who I would consider to be advanced newt keepers say they die. Don’t buy any.
(50+) Lissotriton helveticus 5 for $100 (terrestrial, very little)-limit 10 per person before 9:30am. The adults are small, the juveniles are tiny. You don’t want them anyway because only super sexy, intelligent, well mannered, productive members of society are interested in Lissotriton.
(30+) Neurergus crocatus 3 for $100 (some terrestrial, some aquatic, they’ll be labelled as such) – Limit 12 per person before 9:30am. Neurergus are the most popular genus of salamanders for people to buy and unintentionally kill. The won’t put up with your shenanigans. If they’re aquatic they shouldn’t be kept in filth or with detectable levels of ammonia or decaying foods and feces. If they’re terrestrial they do best with adequate ventilation and a damp to very dry moisture gradient. If you keep them too wet on land with stagnant air, you’ll probably watch them all die. Seriously, don’t buy any.
(few) 2026 Neurergus kaiseri $80 each (labelled to indicate terrestrial or aquatic) March is the time the most are available, not October, go away.
(8) 2025 Neurergus kaiseri $125 (aquatic) Over a year old, unsexed, they thrive in my aquariums, I’m not sure if they will in yours so don’t get any.
(few) 2026 Neurergus strauchii $90 each (aquatic)
(1.1) 2024 Neurergus strauchii $350/pair (aquatic) I saw tail fanning and found infertile eggs in a few of the tanks last year so they’re old enough to do that at least. If I end up bringing multiple pairs the limit is one pair per person.
(20) Ommatotriton nesterovi 3 for $100 (terrestrial) – Limit 6 per person before 9:30am. Most people run into problems with these. Juveniles, adults, terrestrial, aquatic, it doesn’t matter. Excellent ventilation is critical. They absolutely do best with a moisture gradient with areas that are lightly damp and areas that are dry. Way too many people keep terrestrial amphibians way too wet. These often hang out in stacks of cork bark and in areas that are completely dry. Don’t buy any.
(1.1) Pleurodeles waltl, normal possible het leucistic $180/pair (always aquatic) Possibly the most beginner friendly species of newt on the planet.
(few) Triturus carnifex $40 each (terrestrial) maybe flavistic, maybe normal, maybe I’ll bring both, it depends on how I feel Saturday.
(10+) Triturus dobrogicus $25 each (aquatic) All Triturus are easy, these are the easiest but one of the most aggressive at feeding time.
(10+) Triturus karelinii 3 for $100 (aquatic) I’d rank them second easiest of the easy-peasy Triturus species.
(few) Triturus macedonicus $50 each (aquatic)
(50+) Triturus marmoratus 2 for $100 (terrestrial) Limit 8 per person before 9:30am. Everyone wants them when I don’t have them, now I have a bunch and no one will want them. $50 was fair 15 years ago and it's fair now. I will keep them all for any less.
(few) Triturus pygmaeus $60 each (terrestrial)
(20+) Tylototriton shanjing $80 each (semi aquatic, well started) Limit 8 per person before 9:30am. These take chopped worms that I hand to them one at a time with tweezers, most will also eat thawed
Hikari bloodworms off of a napkin.
(8) Tylototriton verrucosus $90 each (semi aquatic, well started) Same feeding and care as the shanjing.
I will have the following captive bred newts available at the Chicago Reptile House booth at NARBC Tinley Park, IL October 10-11. All locally produced and raised by yours truly right here in the vast desert of corn. All are always first come, first served starting with VIP pass holders at 8:00am Saturday. Not Friday, no holds and no shipping, ever. This is the only place I sell newts, before and after the show they are not available. VIP passes are always available. I deal with people one at a time at the table so you can either wait your turn or don’t stop by at all, we won’t even miss you! If someone cuts in front of you, let me know so I make sure not to share with them. Rudeness will not be rewarded so don’t forget your manners at home. Vendors can either wait until I take care of VIP pass holders, so like 8:30, or don’t stop by at all! That part upsets a few people so I’ll tell you a quick story. In March, a guy came up to the table and told me he flew out from California just to pick up newts. The plane he was on almost crashed because of the crazy Friday wind. People were crying and puking in the aisle, it was a real big mess. Imagine if he went through all of that, got to the table and I told him “oh, you know what, I sold those to a vendor before you were even allowed to get in the room!" That wouldn’t be cool so I don’t do it that way. Want to argue with me about it? No newts for you! I don't work for you!
I guarantee most people probably shouldn't keep these. Aside from that, there are absolutely no guarantees or refunds whatsoever. Some people can't keep guppies and Pothos plants alive. Neurergus, Laotriton and Ommatotriton top the list of newts that are incredibly easy to kill unintentionally, regardless of your level of confidence. Yet, those are the ones everyone seems to want! They’ll be in clear containers so you can examine them, count them and make sure you’re getting what you want before you pay and go away. We won’t be ripping each other off, so that’s a win. Once you make up your mind, I appreciate if you just get away from me. Don’t linger. We’re not friends, none of us are friends. I'll probably be nice to you, but we only exist in the same space, that’s all.
The scientific names are listed below so you can do some basic research to figure out if you can keep these things. I don’t have the time to walk you through everything you'll need to know. We all have the internet, please use it! Even if you're only buying a live plant, Google it first! Sheesh. The Caudata Culture care sheets are a good place to start reading. If anything is unclear or you have specific questions, stop by and talk with me. I’m not as mean as you think! I’ll be more than happy to explain what I do to keep them. What works for me doesn’t work for everyone though, and people on social media will tell you I gave you bad advice if I write honest care sheets based upon what works well for me. You know, the people who have read something online and enjoyed a little bit of luck with a couple of newts so of course they've dubbed themselves experts!
Depending on the species, they’ll be packed in inseparable groups in the quantities listed before the prices. You either take the group in the container or take none at all. The prices are also listed below, not a surprise. So when you ask your spouse for permission you can ask for some money.
The number in parenthesis () before the name is the minimum quantity I’ll have with me to give you a better idea of how early to arrive or not. Just be aware that in March I brought around 500 newts and they were all gone well before 10am. The word “few” means I’ll bring at least one but probably not more than 10 so maybe don’t bother. I’ve highlighted some quantities in red to indicate you shouldn't make the trip to get those because you probably won't be first. If you think I’m joking you’re welcome to find out for yourself. There will be a limit on the number of some animals any one person can buy before 9:30am Saturday to maximize the number of people who can get them.
Again, if any part of this bothers you or you have a better way, don’t buy anything from me. Why did you even bother reading all of that? Go on and do it yourself.
-------------------------------------------------
(100+) Cynops ensicauda ensicauda 3 for $100 (terrestrial) -limit 12 per person before 9:30am. I have many, they’re small, see me at the end of the show for a better price on what’s left. 9:45am Saturday is not the end of the show.
(30+) Cynops pyrrhogaster (Kyusu Island, Japan) 2 for $100 (terrestrial) – limit 8 per person before 9:30am
(30+) Hypselotriton orientalis 3 for $100 (terrestrial) they're small when fully grown so these babies are even smaller.
(30+) Ichthyosaura apuana 3 for $100 (labelled to indicate if they’ve been kept aquatic or terrestrial) -Limit 9 per person before 9:30am.
(30+) Laotriton laoensis 2 for $100 (terrestrial) limit 8 per person before 9:30am. These get huge but the juveniles are relatively small, slow moving, slow growing and delicate. They need slow moving prey, excellent ventilation, a moisture gradient, a clean environment and even some people who I would consider to be advanced newt keepers say they die. Don’t buy any.
(50+) Lissotriton helveticus 5 for $100 (terrestrial, very little)-limit 10 per person before 9:30am. The adults are small, the juveniles are tiny. You don’t want them anyway because only super sexy, intelligent, well mannered, productive members of society are interested in Lissotriton.
(30+) Neurergus crocatus 3 for $100 (some terrestrial, some aquatic, they’ll be labelled as such) – Limit 12 per person before 9:30am. Neurergus are the most popular genus of salamanders for people to buy and unintentionally kill. The won’t put up with your shenanigans. If they’re aquatic they shouldn’t be kept in filth or with detectable levels of ammonia or decaying foods and feces. If they’re terrestrial they do best with adequate ventilation and a damp to very dry moisture gradient. If you keep them too wet on land with stagnant air, you’ll probably watch them all die. Seriously, don’t buy any.
(few) 2026 Neurergus kaiseri $80 each (labelled to indicate terrestrial or aquatic) March is the time the most are available, not October, go away.
(8) 2025 Neurergus kaiseri $125 (aquatic) Over a year old, unsexed, they thrive in my aquariums, I’m not sure if they will in yours so don’t get any.
(few) 2026 Neurergus strauchii $90 each (aquatic)
(1.1) 2024 Neurergus strauchii $350/pair (aquatic) I saw tail fanning and found infertile eggs in a few of the tanks last year so they’re old enough to do that at least. If I end up bringing multiple pairs the limit is one pair per person.
(20) Ommatotriton nesterovi 3 for $100 (terrestrial) – Limit 6 per person before 9:30am. Most people run into problems with these. Juveniles, adults, terrestrial, aquatic, it doesn’t matter. Excellent ventilation is critical. They absolutely do best with a moisture gradient with areas that are lightly damp and areas that are dry. Way too many people keep terrestrial amphibians way too wet. These often hang out in stacks of cork bark and in areas that are completely dry. Don’t buy any.
(1.1) Pleurodeles waltl, normal possible het leucistic $180/pair (always aquatic) Possibly the most beginner friendly species of newt on the planet.
(few) Triturus carnifex $40 each (terrestrial) maybe flavistic, maybe normal, maybe I’ll bring both, it depends on how I feel Saturday.
(10+) Triturus dobrogicus $25 each (aquatic) All Triturus are easy, these are the easiest but one of the most aggressive at feeding time.
(10+) Triturus karelinii 3 for $100 (aquatic) I’d rank them second easiest of the easy-peasy Triturus species.
(few) Triturus macedonicus $50 each (aquatic)
(50+) Triturus marmoratus 2 for $100 (terrestrial) Limit 8 per person before 9:30am. Everyone wants them when I don’t have them, now I have a bunch and no one will want them. $50 was fair 15 years ago and it's fair now. I will keep them all for any less.
(few) Triturus pygmaeus $60 each (terrestrial)
(20+) Tylototriton shanjing $80 each (semi aquatic, well started) Limit 8 per person before 9:30am. These take chopped worms that I hand to them one at a time with tweezers, most will also eat thawed
Hikari bloodworms off of a napkin.
(8) Tylototriton verrucosus $90 each (semi aquatic, well started) Same feeding and care as the shanjing.
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