Italian Alpine snack'n on a snail

[ken123]

Just happen to catch one of my Italian Alpine Newt Triturus alpestris




<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R9zyoBTajUM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>




https://youtu.be/R9zyoBTajUM

 

[Chinadog]

Wow, I haven't seen my alpines eat snails, I didn't realise they had the 'hardware' to deal with them. I know my Tylos do, but they're bigger with more powerful mouths.
The one in the film looks like he does it regularly, he has the technique for pulling them off the glass well practised!

 

[ken123]

The snails are super small, micro pin head size. All 3 of them are snacking...but it's not like they are hungry, esting blood worms' salmon pellets too.
Maybe they just like ' mmm

 

[Chinadog]

Do they digest the shells, or do they poop 'em out whole but empty like tylos?

 

[ken123]

Ha Ha, you can't say I've noticed...

 

[natterjack]

Do they digest the shells, or do they poop 'em out whole but empty like tylos?

I had Lissotriton do this too. They were ignoring other foods but picking off all the tiny wandering snails from the weed, leaving lots of empty shells on the tank floor. So they must pass through intact