Ambystoma Opacum Help.

[ReiDragon]

Ok so I have question.

I currently have 4 Ambystoma Opacum Metamorphs.
I am keeping them together in a 20 gallon aquarium with a coco bark, soil mixture as substrate. They have a bark hide and plenty of moss to borrow in. I mist them frequently enough to keep their soil moist (not soping wet).

I have had them for about 2 weeks and they have grown quite a bit are are very good eaters. They are currently on a diet of woodlice, pin head crickets, and an occasional waxworm. My main concern is the temp of their tank. It fluctuates (Not dramatically) Between 62 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. is this an acceptable temperature or should I try and keep them cooler?

My dad refuses to turn the air conditioner on yet. When we do have it on it can never be turned below 70 F. Will they be ok? If not how do I go about cooling a terestrial tank down?

 

[Melmo]

Yes, 68 is a great temperature for them. They don't need cooler than 62. Most can handle up to 80, but higher than that, they will usually burrow to escape the heat. Also, as said on the care sheet on Caudata Culture, pricking the skin of a waxworm before feeding will make it easier to digest.

 

[ReiDragon]

Thanks for your prompt response.

I want to try to get them feeding on earthworm chunks but they are a bit skittish around the forceps. I don't want to put them off food due to stress or anything. (I never handle them) Is there a way to get them feeding on them without stressing them out or should I wait until they get bigger?
They are a bit over an inch long right now.

 

[Melmo]

Try just putting the chunks on something smaller like a toothpick. Good luck with the Opacum!

 

[madeve]

You could also try with a small pair of tweezers, that's how I fed my axie larvae once they got used to hand feeding.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

You may have to start putting chunks of worms in there just to let them get used to eating worms first, then gradually introduce the forceps. I know it's time consuming but it often does the trick with this shy species.

 

[ReiDragon]

I started by chopping the worms and dropping them so they wriggled by the salamander's mouths. They where happily snatched up. ^^
I just got 2 of them to feed from the forceps today! Thanks so much for your great help. They are getting so big. I will have to take pictures and post them soon. ;D