HELP Ambystoma Maculatum

[ChristianV]

Hi I already made a thread about this but messed it up horribly. I received the spotted salamander 4 days ago and offered him earthworms everyday. He is never at the surface and is always burred in the Eco-earth. I have to dig him out and place him in a new container or he will try to run and burrow. When I try to feed him he simply stay still our turns away and tries to get away. What should I offer him to eat or is there something wrong?

 

[ChristianV]

Hi I already made a thread about this but messed it up horribly. I received the spotted salamander 4 days ago and offered him earthworms everyday. He is never at the surface and is always burred in the Eco-earth. I have to dig him out and place him in a new container or he will try to run and burrow. When I try to feed him he simply stay still our turns away and tries to get away. What should I offer him to eat or is there something wrong? Also what should I add to his enclosure/how to feed him?

 

[Chinadog]

I honestly wouldn't worry just yet. It can take a while for salamanders to settle in their new homes, more so if it's wild caught. It's normal behaviour for him to be burrowed into the substrate, that's where he'll spend most of his time. I would just leave him be for now and let him settle, you could put some chopped Canadian nightcrawlers in a shallow dish (a jar lid works well) and leave it in his tank over night in case he surfaces and feels hungry, but I wouldn't keep digging him up at the moment.

 

[jewett]

Re: Ambystoma Maculatum

Four days is not a long time for a new acquisition to go without food if it currently has a good weight and was eating well prior to your receiving it. I would let the animal settle in instead of digging it up to present it with food. As long as it is kept cool, the salamander's metabolism should be slow and it's caloric requirements will be low.

You could try sinking a bowl in the substrate and putting the worms in there, and then covering the bowl with a piece of cork bark or similar to make a nice hide out of the area. The hiding spot may lure the salamander to venture in where it can see the food. Also, keep the lights down as I think dim lighting will help the acclimation process as well.

Best of luck!

HJ

 

[sde]

I agree with Chinadog.
Digging him up will stress him, so he won't be interested in eating and more interested in getting away! In addition to what Chinadog said about chopped nightcrawlers in a dish, i would suggest adding woodlice to the setup if you can get some. I always have woodlice in my setups, they help keep things clean and are great feeders in my experience.