Marbled Newts Not Eating

[madcaplaughs]

A few days ago my boyfriend purchased some marbled newts. They seem fairly active, only thing is they won't eat. We've tried worms, crickets, bloodworms, but they won't take to them. They don't seem interested. Any advice on feeding these guys and how to get them to take to food?

 

[MnGuy]

A few days ago my boyfriend purchased some marbled newts. They seem fairly active, only thing is they won't eat. We've tried worms, crickets, bloodworms, but they won't take to them. They don't seem interested. Any advice on feeding these guys and how to get them to take to food?

How big are the newts? Are they terrestrial juveniles or aquatic adults? How are you feeding them?

My two terrestrial juveniles are super secretive. I feed them live fruit flies and I almost never see them in action eating. I've seen them hunt a few times but they mostly eat when I'm not paying attention.

 

[madcaplaughs]

How big are the newts? Are they terrestrial juveniles or aquatic adults? How are you feeding them?

My two terrestrial juveniles are super secretive. I feed them live fruit flies and I almost never see them in action eating. I've seen them hunt a few times but they mostly eat when I'm not paying attention.

Thank you for your reply MnGuy. They are currently terrestrial. We've tried tong feeding and placing the food in a container with them, but they don't seem interested. Do you have any advice on how to ensure they're eating?

 

[MnGuy]

Thank you for your reply MnGuy. They are currently terrestrial. We've tried tong feeding and placing the food in a container with them, but they don't seem interested. Do you have any advice on how to ensure they're eating?

I'm no expert, but if you haven't, I would try leaving the food in their tank overnight since they are primarily nocturnal --EXCEPT the crickets. Never leave crickets alone with an animal; they can and will attack your newts.

I'd also suggest trying live flightless fruitflies.

In general, adding a lot of leaf litter, live plants and hiding spots will also make them feel more secure and might help their feeding response.

Good luck.

 

[madcaplaughs]

I'm no expert, but if you haven't, I would try leaving the food in their tank overnight since they are primarily nocturnal --EXCEPT the crickets. Never leave crickets alone with an animal; they can and will attack your newts.

I'd also suggest trying live flightless fruitflies.

In general, adding a lot of leaf litter, live plants and hiding spots will also make them feel more secure and might help their feeding response.

Good luck.

Thank you. I will try fruit flies and will see if they take. If not, I'll leave food in overnight. Their enclosure has plenty of plants and hides, and they seem to like to burrow in the mosses. Hopefully they're just trying to settle in.

 

[Herpin Man]

I agree with MNGuy.
Place some small, live prey items in with the newts, and trust them to hunt.