Fire salamanders wont eat worms

[Jamiebhoy99]

Hi all i got 2 fire salamanders recently and I've not seen them eat much since I got them I've seen them eat some crickets and roaches once but feeding them earth worms doesn't seem to work well, they just slink away while the salamanders watch it.... although I am keeping my salamanders in another room in the house so unable to watch them all the time. I was also given terrible advice that they were okay at ambient room temp and kept them in my bedroom which is very hot for the other reptiles and Inverts i keep, i have since moved them to an unheated room and im located in scotland so should be natural-ish temp range inside

I'm unsure what to do or what to think..... potentially just not seeing them actively hunting and eating or could they be ill

 

[Creekratt]

When I feed crickets, I like to container feed. It allows me to monitor how much they take and crickets can't go far. I use a container that's big enough t for them to chase them, but don't have to go far. I put a few crickets in, put lid on, and put that container back in there house for maybe 10 minutes than check on them. Don't leave together too long. Crickets can nibble. Maybe you can try it for your fires? Good luck with them.

 

[Jamiebhoy99]

Surely removing them from viv would disturb them and potentially cause them to starve for longer?

 

[Creekratt]

Surely removing them from viv would disturb them and potentially cause them to starve for longer?

So it may seem. So far no problem. I keep gallaica and bejarae. The bejarae, by far are more bold than my gallaica. All have taken crickets this way. If they were too stressed, they more than likely wouldn't have fed this way.

 

[Creekratt]

Hi all i got 2 fire salamanders recently and I've not seen them eat much since I got them I've seen them eat some crickets and roaches once but feeding them earth worms doesn't seem to work well, they just slink away while the salamanders watch it.... although I am keeping my salamanders in another room in the house so unable to watch them all the time. I was also given terrible advice that they were okay at ambient room temp and kept them in my bedroom which is very hot for the other reptiles and Inverts i keep, i have since moved them to an unheated room and im located in scotland so should be natural-ish temp range inside

I'm unsure what to do or what to think..... potentially just not seeing them actively hunting and eating or could they be ill

Try feeding at night. You can also try pinching the worms with your tongs. It really makes the worm go spastic and move around quit a bit. That extra movement really turns on there hunt instinct and they seem to be unable to resist.

 

[Jamiebhoy99]

So it may seem. So far no problem. I keep gallaica and bejarae. The bejarae, by far are more bold than my gallaica. All have taken crickets this way. If they were too stressed, they more than likely wouldn't have fed this way.

I have s.s. terrestris not sure if they differ in attitude but ill try it mate, may be hard got logs for hides so need to catch em when there out and about, don't wanna stress them out tho, I think I'll try and injure some crickets and put them in a bowl they won't be able to escape first see if that works if not ill try removing the sals themselves .....
Do you think cutting up worms might help, maybe too big ? I've read fire salamanders will scavenge freshly dead items as well unlike most other sp do you know anything about this ?

Try feeding at night. You can also try pinching the worms with your tongs. It really makes the worm go spastic and move around quit a bit. That extra movement really turns on there hunt instinct and they seem to be unable to

I've been doing exactly that mate they still don't seem bothered, I got them very recently about a week or two ago maybe settling In still ? They seemed to like red runners and crickets more I could just put loads of roaches in as they can't bite although a more expensive diet lol

 

[Creekratt]

I have s.s. terrestris not sure if they differ in attitude but ill try it mate, may be hard got logs for hides so need to catch em when there out and about, don't wanna stress them out tho, I think I'll try and injure some crickets and put them in a bowl they won't be able to escape first see if that works if not ill try removing the sals themselves .....
Do you think cutting up worms might help, maybe too big ? I've read fire salamanders will scavenge freshly dead items as well unlike most other sp do you know anything about this ?

I've been doing exactly that mate they still don't seem bothered, I got them very recently about a week or two ago maybe settling In still ? They seemed to like red runners and crickets more I could just put loads of roaches in as they can't bite although a more expensive diet lol

Not sure about dead food items. Good idea about disabling crickets. I would try that as well. They may not be totally acclimated. It maybe the issue. My gallaica are small so I cut European crawlers in half. They still have movement and that really gets their instinct going. Ill also wave wax worms in front of them before offering the active worms. With my gallaica it's hard to get their attention with the 'waving' they usually run away. My setup is really bare. I use paper towel with plenty of hides on moist, dry sides. Ill quickly peek under what ever hide their under and drop a worm just out side their hides. That way they dont see me and only see. the worm. That usually does the trick. It does sound like you have a very nice, natural setup for them. Maybe you could consider a change up in their house for now. It will give you a better chance of monitoring food intake. Once you can tell they are feeding well you could always go back.

 

[Jamiebhoy99]

Not sure about dead food items. Good idea about disabling crickets. I would try that as well. They may not be totally acclimated. It maybe the issue. My gallaica are small so I cut European crawlers in half. They still have movement and that really gets their instinct going. Ill also wave wax worms in front of them before offering the active worms. With my gallaica it's hard to get their attention with the 'waving' they usually run away. My setup is really bare. I use paper towel with plenty of hides on moist, dry sides. Ill quickly peek under what ever hide their under and drop a worm just out side their hides. That way they dont see me and only see. the worm. That usually does the trick. It does sound like you have a very nice, natural setup for them. Maybe you could consider a change up in their house for now. It will give you a better chance of monitoring food intake. Once you can tell they are feeding well you could always go back.

I'm gonna try and see if they acclimatise over the next week or so, if not ill take your advice put them in a bare bones tank to monitor them. I think they look like there in good condition they don't look skinny .... what you think?

 

[Creekratt]

I'm gonna try and see if they acclimatise over the next week or so, if not ill take your advice put them in a bare bones tank to monitor them. I think they look like there in good condition they don't look skinny .... what you think?

They look healthy to me. I must admit I'm a bit envious, they are spectacular! Red or orange sollings are my holy grail

 

[Jamiebhoy99]

They look healthy to me. I must admit I'm a bit envious, they are spectacular! Red or orange sollings are my holy grail

Are terrestris not as common in the states? Some US salamanders are very hard to get over here such as opacum waiting lists the length of your arm

 

[Jamiebhoy99]

They look healthy to me. I must admit I'm a bit envious, they are spectacular! Red or orange sollings are my holy grail

Thanks mate definitely cooler patterns and subspecies out there ! I quite like the Italian gigliolii