We have had a tiger salamander that we found for three years. Over the past month he is shrinking and seems to be drying up. He is lethargic but still eats. He used to hide in the water under the rocks but now he lays on top of the rocks and tries to climb up the glass. He used to look plump and healthy but now looks sickly. One pet store said he might be getting old and another said he may have worms. Any thoughts? Thanks.
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Tiger salamander shrinking
- Thread starter joe
- Start date
E
ester
Guest
Do you have a picture of him? Please post it using the upload button next to the Post/Preview button.
D
dane
Guest
are you keeping them in an aquatic set up? if so i highly incourage you to change it to a terrestrial set ASAP
J
jennifer
Guest
Are those spots on his head, or ulcers? I agree with Dane, he needs a terrestrial setup, not aquatic. I hope it isn't too late. Please see:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Ambystoma/A_tigrinum.shtml
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/setups3.shtml
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Ambystoma/A_tigrinum.shtml
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/setups3.shtml
R
roy
Guest
It would help because its a terrestrial species to begin with. I'm amazed it lasted for three years.
Keep him terrestrial but with moist spots and feed him earthworms.
Keep him terrestrial but with moist spots and feed him earthworms.
Jan
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Joe,
Tigers are not aquatic species as adults. They are mole salamanders and must have substrate to burrow in and hide. Organisms can tolerate sub-optimal conditions for a time, but then time runs out...and serious stress sets in leading to death. Tigers are long-lived animals, up to 20 years if maintained appropriately and in good health. Do the right thing by this animal and change him to a terrestial set-up...or you will lose your animal...if not already too late. Please read the links to care sheets posted by Jennifer.
Tigers are not aquatic species as adults. They are mole salamanders and must have substrate to burrow in and hide. Organisms can tolerate sub-optimal conditions for a time, but then time runs out...and serious stress sets in leading to death. Tigers are long-lived animals, up to 20 years if maintained appropriately and in good health. Do the right thing by this animal and change him to a terrestial set-up...or you will lose your animal...if not already too late. Please read the links to care sheets posted by Jennifer.
My salamander has been in his new terrestrial environment for several days. He has burrowed into the soil and has not really moved much. I can see him through the glass. Could he be hibernating? What might cause a sudden weight loss? Is this how salamanders look when they get old? All wrinkled and lethargic? Could he be sick? Has anyone ever seen something like this? I am just trying to save this animal. I found him three years ago, so I do not know how old he is.
J
jennifer
Guest
In the photo, his weight doesn't look too bad. Tiger sals do not hibernate. They do slow down and eat less when cold, but it would have to be below 50F for this to be very noticeable.
One of the standard treatment options for salamanders (outlined in the book Amphibian Medicine and Captive Husbandry, which is pretty much the bible of amphib medicine) is refrigeration. When their metabolism slows down, it gives their body a better chance of healing. Refrigeration is an option, or just keep him as cool as possible.
The description of "wrinkled and lethargic" doesn't sound good. I suspect he is sick in some way. The lifespan of tiger sals is probably 10-20 years or more, so it's unlikely that he's just old, although I can't rule that out.
One of the standard treatment options for salamanders (outlined in the book Amphibian Medicine and Captive Husbandry, which is pretty much the bible of amphib medicine) is refrigeration. When their metabolism slows down, it gives their body a better chance of healing. Refrigeration is an option, or just keep him as cool as possible.
The description of "wrinkled and lethargic" doesn't sound good. I suspect he is sick in some way. The lifespan of tiger sals is probably 10-20 years or more, so it's unlikely that he's just old, although I can't rule that out.
D
dane
Guest
a normaly healthy looking sal would look like it always has except maybe has a tad bit darker color then what it had
K
kara
Guest
Joe, what ha this tigers diet been like over the years?
crickets. he loves them. will not eat anything else. no, I do not dust them either. He finally moved today to soak in the water for a few hours. ate some crickets and burrowed in again. he looks very skinny.
R
roy
Guest
Have you ever tried worms? They are a much better food.
K
kara
Guest
Fatten him up with earthworms, or meal worms...higher fat content!
What is the temp in his enclosure?
What is the temp in his enclosure?