Which worms?

[Elliriyanna]

We are getting a compost Bin for our house and though I haven't seen it I have been told I can use it for worms for the axolotl's. Now I just need to decide what kind of worms to get and from where

 

[bichogrilo]

I have found that my axolotl will eat red worms from the worm bin but is much less enthusiastic about tiger worms. They all prefer straight earthworms from the garden rather than compost worms though. Hope this helps a bit.

 

[Elliriyanna]

My worry is potential pesticides even though we do not use them.

 

[baddfish]

All 10 of my axolotls love night crawlers. I get 18 huge canadian night crawlers for under 3 bux. They are huge. I have to cut them each into about 6 pieces for the actual feeding.

 

[Mark]

Your best bet is a Dendrobaena species. Lumbricus species aka night crawlers or lob worms, will not breed in compost bins as they are deep soil animals that cannot tolerate warm temperatures. Avoid Eisenia worms as these are less palatable to salamanders. All compost worms produce a noxious, defensive, yellow excretion when chopped or bitten, Dendrobaena species seem to produce the least and most newts and salamanders are able to overcome their distastefulness. Angling or bait shops are a great place to by Dendrobaena worms.