Sluggish Salamandra

In the last couple of weeks, I had noticed my fire sallie burrowing a lot more than I had known him to. The humidity is good (soil is damp and there is a slightly elevated side). It has gotten warmer for summer, but I keep the room air conditioned and/or keep a cool pack on top of the tank so that temps are 68 F or lower.

He used to poke his head out of one of his hides at night, seemingly eager for a meal or to poke around. I must admit I think I overfed him a bit at first because he looks kind of fat, but he is having bowel movements, but he doesn't chase down food with the fervor he used to.

I thought maybe the temps because of summer could have something to do with it, but actually they aren't that much different than when I originally got him in April. Could he be preparing to hibernate? I don't know anything about his history. Can anyone help?

I haven't had any replies, but maybe someone has had a similar experience? My salamandra seems to be doing ok. He is a healthy weight and moves around if he is disturbed. He just hasn't shown the interest in eating that he once did. He used to chase food down and not think twice about snapping up something. Now he seems much more reluctant. I put a few small crickets in his tank the other day and there are still a couple in there. This would never have happened even a month ago. Maybe hes just full and I'm paranoid. He just seems lazier now. Maybe its because he is older than when I first got him? He has grown a great deal since I first brought him home. Anyone?

Jonny Doum said:

I haven't had any replies, but maybe someone has had a similar experience?

Click to expand...

Yes, I have observed similar behavior. I have three young Portuguese fire salamanders, who have been well fed through the winter...they are not obese, but they have not gone hungry. When I got them, they were less than three inches long...now they are over four and seem quite healthy. My basement was about 50-55 degrees F all winter and most of the spring, and they were very active. With the onset of summer (basement temps around 65 degrees F), they've been content to bury themselves for long periods (up to two weeks at a time), but just tonight they were out so I gave them a light meal (which they ate).

I'm no expert, but if I had to guess, I'd say that when a salamander's fat reserves reach a certain level, they naturally become less active and just hide in a safe place until they feel the need to eat again. I'd welcome comments from someone more knowledgeable.