Ants for Plethodon

[JM29]

Hello.

Since litterature frequently cites some Plethodon species regularly eating ants, I tried to propose ants (Lasius niger, a small black ant) to my P. cinereus.
They eat them well.
Without being the bulk of their food, the ants could contribute to food diversity.

Bye

 

[Azhael]

I don´t know the details of this, but i remember in a David Attenborough documentary (Life in Cold Blood series) they said that those animals that eat ants are negatively selected by local females by their feces. Males eating termites are favoured.

Also, i would be very wary of wild ants, specially from an urbanized area.

 

[JM29]

I read that too, but :

- Other publications say Plethodon (cinereus, glutinosus group...) often stay near ants nests,
- ants are cited as a large part of the normal food of these sals,
- I don't have termites, and I don't want to have any (if you understand what I mean...),
- giving them ants doesn't inhibit captive breeding in my terras.

 

[Azhael]

Oh i just thought i´d mention it. I really think wild ants are a risk, though.

What plethodotinds have you succesfully bred in captivity? And do they all get a supplement of ants every now and then?

And i do know what you mean about the termites xDD I considered culturing them a while back but decided it was a very bad idea for someone like me

 

[JM29]

I had successful breeding with P. cinereus.
As I said, ants are given to the animals from time to time, but are not the unique food source. I feed them with various arthropods, including fruitflies and woodlice and compost fauna. Food diversity may be something important, but I've got few detailed data.

I'm not particularly anxious with wild ants, providing the site they come from is well-known (my garden in this case). I would worry more if I had to give them bigger ants like Formica rufa.

Cheers

 

[vide]

Hi,
I just wanted to share this example of salamanders eating ants.



This is the regurgitated stomach contents of a Plethodon elongatus. As you can see ants had been on the menu this evening.

Concerning termites as food. I´m assuming you are reluctant to culture them because of the risk of them becoming a pest in your house. I to have considered culturing them and I´m thinking that since I live in Sweden, were the climate is pretty cool, this could work. But maybe they could survive indoors and become a problem. What do you guys think?

-Vide

 

[JM29]

Termites :
What are the risks ? (your house, your neighbours...)
What are the benefits ? (best food ?)
Is it really worth trying this ?

I think most hobbyists can have success without termites.

 

[Bellabelloo]

I think some ants will produce formic acid, if so I would think this would upset their digestion . Maybe the plethodon are living nearby because agitated ants will protect their site from potential invaders and the plethodon may use this to their advantage.

( I am also renowned for getting this type of thing terribly wrong!!)

 

[JM29]

For more on ants in Plethodon diet, read Amphibiaweb / Lannoo account, for several Plethodon species. You'll find several references.