Thoughts on supplement requirements for spotted salamander (A. maculatum)

[VernTheSally91]

Hey all,

I was curious what others use for supplements when feeding fossorial salamanders such as a spotted salamander. I currently feed mostly earthworms (fed a diet of fruits and veggies), as well as gut-loaded crickets (fed with Repashy Bug Burger) that are occasionally dusted with Repashy Calcium Plus (approximately once a week).

Are other supplements needed/suggested (Vit A, carotenoids, etc.)? Also, how often do people dust their crickets with calcium supplements especially if they are already gut-loaded with something like Repashy Bug Burger (which has calcium and Vit D)? Do people dust their earthworms? I know fossorial salamanders generally have low Vit D requirements and in can be harmful in large concentrations, so I am hesitant to over do it. I should also note that the salamander terrarium does not have a UVB light and very little exposure to direct natural light. The terrarium has a full-spectrum LED light to support plant life.

Thanks in advance!

 

[salamanderkeeper]

So Bug burger is for maintaining insects but not really fully gut loading them. Repashy makes a separate product for that called superload. What I do is I feed my crickets the same vegetables recommended for tortoises and iguanas and I also use the bug burger whch wll further add nutritional value. I think dust them with repashy calcium plus. The calcium plus will be groomed off though so the best situation is to tong feed the crickets or put them in at a time when they will be quickly consumed. The nightcrawlers should contain sufficient nutrition to not need dusting. You can also purchase superload and feed the crickets that 24-72 hours before feeding them off but I think the calcium levels in it are probably too high for rearing crickets on it, it's only meant for short term use right before feeding. The repashy calcium plus should be kept in a cool, dry place and replaced every 6 months.