Question: Newt Food

[Fiend101]

I just got some Newts and they came wiht HBH Newt and Salamander Bites but they dont seem to be very interested in it. I have turtles that I feed Wardleys Reptile Premium Sticks, on the package it says that these food sticks are ideal for many reptiles( e.g. Turtles, Frogs and Newts...Even though frongs and newts are amphibians) I was wondering if anybody knew if it would be safe to try to feed some of the sticks to my Newts?

 

[krk11]

What kind of newts are they? Larvae, terrestrial, size? Live food would be your best option (bloodworms, blackworms, ect.). Check the FAQ section of this forum for more information.

 

[Jennewt]

Reptile sticks would be OK, in terms of nutrition. However, many newts will refuse all forms of sticks and pellets. To induce them to eat often requires food that either moves, or smells strongly of live food.

Here is an article that rates various kinds of food for newts:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/foods.shtml

I would recommend digging up some worms (from an area far from pesticide usage) or buying Hikari frozen bloodworms. Are the newts staying mostly in water or on land? This may affect your choice of food to offer.

 

[Fiend101]

I beleive they are Japanese Fire Belly Newts. Im assuming they are adults since the Female is gravid they are about 4" long including the tail. i havent seen them out of the water yet.