Flatworms

[eljorgo]

Hey I have thought in giving to my sals some of these.. more specificity some of the Bipalium kewense species... would it have any problem? I am just amazed with them. I can make a huge culture of them ten times faster that earthworms! wicked!
Thanks!
Eljorgo

 

[fishkeeper]

I recall trying to feed a particularly large individual many years ago to a large larval tiger salamander(back in those days in CA you could buy tigers at the baitstore for $1).

Anyway, the worm was quite slimy(not to mention strong). The salamander tried in vain to subdue it but every time it swallowed the worm the worm managed to force its way back out!

They also aren't the easiest to culture I'd bet.

 

[kwksand]

Most flatworms are generally unpalatable, either because they produce toxins or a sticky slime that prevents them from being eaten. This partly explains why they are doing so well as an invasive species in Europe and the U.S. Many terrestrial planarians are at least mildly toxic, though I doubt anyone knows how dangerous Bipalium are as a supplemental food for caudates. I would not try this with my newts, but I'm interested to hear about it if you've already done it.

 

[eljorgo]

Hey sorry. I have gone completely out from this idea but i just have it beucase i´ve read this species are really not toxic or parasitic and i have found plenty of these many times eating or kiling normal earthworms under stones and logs. Also if you cut one in 10 pieces it is going to give origin to 10 f.worms! that is making food in scale.
But no i haven't tried I like much my newts to do such thing.

 

[deliriah]

If they are such voracious eaters of earthworms, you would need to feed them large amounts of earthworms. To me this sounds silly when those earthworms would be better used as food for your caudates to begin with.
That aside they seem like a very interesting creature. I could maybe see keeping a small amount for observation.