Shanjing worries

[gord]

Friends:

I'm a bit worried about one of my shanjing.In the past two weeks it's gone from being a greedy eater to a non eater. I'm wondering if the cooler temperature in my basement (it's winter here in northern Ontario) has played a role.The tank is at about 60-65 F during the day. My other shanjing is also less active, but still feeding.I thought maybe the tank was too damp and have been drying it out, but so far no response. I've also thought about moving them too a larger tank (they are in a ten gallon now) but I'm concerned that the disruption will make things worse. I fear the non eating shanjing will go anorexic and I know that is bad news. Anyone else have a similar experience, or advice?

Gord

 

[foster]

How well was it eating two weeks ago? Some of my Tylo's have gone for weeks without eating only to resume later. I do not think changing enclosures will make any difference. If you are truly concerned about the one individual then you should separate it from the group anyway.
Chip

 

[gord]

Chip:

He ate pretty well...both of my shanjing were enthusiastic eaters. But he was the skinnier of the two..and he seems to have shut down. The other shanjing is also less active, but still hungry.I may separate them if he doesn't show improvement...but I only have one other shanjing.

I did see a post lower down the thread list that was helpful...I may just be patient and see what happens. I really don't want to lose this guy.

GE

 

[mark]

Hi Gord,

The following is likely of little relevance but I’m posting it in the off chance it is of help or of interest to you.

I've had shanjing stop eating, often in winter (but not necessarily) and it can be the most frustrating thing until they invariably start eating again!

This newt however is different! She was a keen feeder and used to beg for food. She suddenly decided she not only didn’t want food but also seemed very afraid of it. Two weeks passed and she did not eat despite appearing in good health - all my attempts were turned down, though she did begin to lose the "fear" so to speak and just seemed to dislike the food.

She simply would not eat. I tried waxmoth, various types of worm, slugs and so forth to no avail. In desperation I thawed out some bloodworm.

The response was electric - she shot towards it and without even contemplating it, wolfed it down, refusing to let go of the forceps! Because I didn't feel bloodworm constituted an adequate diet for a large terrestrial newt, I began hiding chopped earthworm in it. If she caught on, she refused to eat! As time went by she began to accept the chopped worms, then eventually whole worms and waxies.

She now eats whole worms and waxies without any bloodworm - however the item must <u>smell</u> of bloodworm! Even rubbing a frozen cube on it does the trick! Now she’s back to being pretty tame and reacts very positively to people peering at her. Introduce forceps and she’s even happier - however she will not touch it if it doesn't smell of bloodworm!

I'm hoping that she'll eventually not require the bloodworm but the whole situation is extremely strange! I've never heard of anything like it! Even more so in that my other four shanjing either do not react to or actively refuse bloodworm, yet are hand tame feeders when it comes to anything live!

In conclusion? Most shanjing do usually start eating again (my established male has mastered the art of eating very little during winter) but if you get worried there’s a small chance it may respond to bloodworm! Just watch it doesn't get hooked on the smell!

All the best – hopefully your newt will be eating soon!

(Message edited by newtboyuk on December 15, 2005)

 

[gord]

Mark:

Very interesting anecdote. I may try that bloodworm trick if the newt fast continues. I'm concerned I may have made the moss too wet and made my newts sick.I just removed the moss and it was damp. Yet they've been doing well in the damp moss for three months! Anyway, the moss is out and I've left gravel.They also have another new hiding cave, although they seem to prefer to hide together. I hope this is just the winter doldrums. But both newts are acting sluggish now,the one in particular. My verrucosus on the other hand, are going nuts..eating like pigs and swimming like seals. What a contrast.

GE

 

[andy]

For what it's worth, i've had Shanjing that eat very little in the colder months. My six Shanjing morphs have slowed down a little too now that the temp has dropped to 62f, they still eat, just every now and then

 

[gord]

shanjing upate Dec 20/05

Yesterday, the two newts were sitting in the water bowl when I turned on the light.This told me that the drying out of the tank had occurred. They also both seemed more alert. The big one ate.The little guy didn't. This morning, they were still in the bowl (I should say there was only a very little water in it)... ...and they were both very alert. The big one ate, and the little guy, after some teasing with forceps, gobbled a chunk of worm. Then he crawled off to the remaining moss to hide.I take this all as good news, but will monitor both of them closely. I do intend to put them in larger tank with a dry, damp and water area. Thanks again for all the help from caudata members.

ge