Ambystoma laterale and overfeeding/obesity risk

I collected a few blue-spots in the spring (in accordance with state laws). They've fed pretty voraciously, and they've grown close to adult size.

I've read elsewhere that ambystomids may run a risk for overeating and becoming obese. Is this true of blue-spots?

Either way, of course, I'll keep close watch on how mine look and how much they eat.

But if they do run that risk of getting overweight, I'll pay extra close attention, and I won't ever feel like I'm depriving them of food if they look like they don't need another meal and I don't give it to them.

Thanks!

When I was very young (5ish) I kept a wc one as a pet, for a while I fed wax worms which i would not suggest. Was very obese for a while. So yes I would say they would definitely eat themselves to obesity if allowed. Not hard to monitor though just look at how fat they are.

Thanks!

I'm keeping an eye on them, and they seem to be doing okay.

Now that the temps have cooled here, they're not eating quite as often--once every 4-5 days or so. And they're keeping weight but not getting plump. I usually feed them earthworms, but sometimes I give them small mealworms.

GussieFinknottl said:

I collected a few blue-spots in the spring (in accordance with state laws). They've fed pretty voraciously, and they've grown close to adult size. I've read elsewhere that ambystomids may run a risk for overeating and becoming obese. Is this true of blue-spots? Either way, of course, I'll keep close watch on how mine look and how much they eat. But if they do run that risk of getting overweight, I'll pay extra close attention, and I won't ever feel like I'm depriving them of food if they look like they don't need another meal and I don't give it to them. Thanks!

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GussieFinknottl said:

Thanks!

I'm keeping an eye on them, and they seem to be doing okay.

Now that the temps have cooled here, they're not eating quite as often--once every 4-5 days or so. And they're keeping weight but not getting plump. I usually feed them earthworms, but sometimes I give them small mealworms.

Click to expand...

All species run to risk of over eating and becoming obese, I seen YouTube videos of some pets that have a big belly and appear obese to me.. I feed mine an earthworm similar to their size about once a week, I've tried other meal type but my spoiled salamanders like the garden earthworms and turn away from live pet store insects, that I ended up feeding birds, instead of them dying(meal worms/super worms).. The only times mine will eat everyday is for two weeks leading up to their winter hibernation where they stay until spring, and they will take wax worms during this time. Their belly's do get larger, but once spring comes I can tell they grow a bit in length and lose the fatty bellies they had before their hibernation... Hope to have a healthy first breeding season this year as mine were breed in captivity and have finally reached reproduction maturity