Illness/Sickness: Mernewt revisited

[almndxeyez]

Hello,

I have a newtlet that surfaced about a month ago. To our dismay, it's missing its hind legs.

Chances seem grim, but we're trying our best for it & I don't want to just give up.

It is separated from the other more aggressive newtlets & lives w/ just one other. It is smaller than the others, but I'm very happy that it seems interested in eating.

Looks like it likes live fruitflies, as it moves towards them during feeding time. But I think that the flies might be too fast for it. I've also tried something more slow moving like live bloodworms, but it's never taken interest to them.

Any suggestions? I'm trying to find something that's slow moving on land. Also, something feasible & not too time consuming: my career runs a pretty hectic schedule. I really want to avoid hand-feeding if possible.

Let me know & thanks!
Eileen.

 

[evut]

You could try chopped worms from the garden and lesser waxworms. If the worms have any secretions, rinse them first. Put them on a piece of damp tissue to prevent them from drying out too quickly. You can also use a jar lid with a piece of damp tissue to keep them in one place.

 

[almndxeyez]

Thank you for your reply, I was also conetmplating springtails. Would this also be another option?

 

[froggy]

They would also work, depending on the size of the newtlets. You could also try putting fruitflies in the fridge for a while before feeding to slow them right down.

C

 

[froggy]

I wonder what caused this abnormality...is it a case of 'spindly leg' syndrome in newts?

C

 

[almndxeyez]

Umm, well there's a alot of inbreeding w/in my terrarium. But not sure if this is the culprit.

This guy started out w/ all 4 legs as a larvae. The 2 somehow disappeared & the front ones that are left are pretty spindly & the hands(?) don't have any digits on them.

I really appreciate your idea on fridging the flies. I've been trying this a couple times this week!

I'm contemplating on isolating the guy alone so I can keep track of, well, its poop.

 

[Linus]

I think it's time for a picture of mernewt

 

[almndxeyez]

Sadly, he/she lost all appetite & died a couple weeks ago. So sad, heartbroken!!

 

[AngieD]

Sorry to hear that. At least you tried your best