Jsal
New member
Hello, everyone - I regret to announce that a long toed salamander that I recently inherited passed away this evening. My main question, however, is "Why"? I wanted to get some of your input to get some peace of mind as to whether or not I was (Unintentionally) responsible. The salamander was a little over 8 years old, but I was told they could live up to 30. Needless to say, I'm a little surprised.
First off, the salamander hadn't eaten for a little less than a week. I offered earthworms and dusted crickets (which he normally gobbles up), but he kept walking away from them, even when I offered food on tongs.
A few days ago, I noticed that the salamander's substrate ( coir, organic topsoil, and some sand)was getting a little dry. I sprayed it with lots of water. Afterwards, he came out to sit in his little water dish, which is only an inch deep. I happened to be walking by later, and he was floating (and swimming) upside down. I lifted him out of the dish and took it out, fearing he might drown next time. The next two days were fine, as he was walking around and digging like usual.
Today, the substrate began to get dry patches again, so I decided to put the salamander in the small plastic tub I brought him home in, while I stirred up the substrate and added dechlorinated water to it. I found him digging under some dirt, put him in the tub, and sprayed him a tiny amount to stay moist during the renovation. He waddled around the tub while I was working, but when I was ready to put him back, he was dead. He was probably out of the tank for about 25 minutes.
I just feel really guilty because I think that if I hadn't come in and started messing with things, he'd still be alive and playing in the dirt. Does anybody have any ideas? Was it my fault?
First off, the salamander hadn't eaten for a little less than a week. I offered earthworms and dusted crickets (which he normally gobbles up), but he kept walking away from them, even when I offered food on tongs.
A few days ago, I noticed that the salamander's substrate ( coir, organic topsoil, and some sand)was getting a little dry. I sprayed it with lots of water. Afterwards, he came out to sit in his little water dish, which is only an inch deep. I happened to be walking by later, and he was floating (and swimming) upside down. I lifted him out of the dish and took it out, fearing he might drown next time. The next two days were fine, as he was walking around and digging like usual.
Today, the substrate began to get dry patches again, so I decided to put the salamander in the small plastic tub I brought him home in, while I stirred up the substrate and added dechlorinated water to it. I found him digging under some dirt, put him in the tub, and sprayed him a tiny amount to stay moist during the renovation. He waddled around the tub while I was working, but when I was ready to put him back, he was dead. He was probably out of the tank for about 25 minutes.
I just feel really guilty because I think that if I hadn't come in and started messing with things, he'd still be alive and playing in the dirt. Does anybody have any ideas? Was it my fault?