Beginner, first one~ Fire salamander.

[blacksupra94]

Hello, just making this post to ask a couple of amateur questions. Searched around a bit and of course get confusing and conflicting answers,but for the most part I think I have everything down. I'm used to geckos so this is a big change for me, especially for feedings. I feed my geckos superworms and rarely crickets.

From what I've read , crickets are not the BEST thing for salamanders and I'm pretty much only interested in feeding what's best for them... crickets annoy me anyways . It looks like dug up worms are ideal, I'm pretty sure I can go dig some up around here.

regarding worms
1. Is an earth worm different than a dug up worm? Worms need no calcium dusting correct?
2. Are worms a good staple diet?
3. Should I avoid bait shop worms?


I currently have a set up waiting for my guy this week , a 20 gallon long with organic top soil/ jungle bed mix , two hides , spaghum moss and a couple of mini natural logs. I will use fake plants. What % humidity should the enclosure be at all times?

 

[daedae]

Earth worms are the same as worms you'd dig up outside. They are small, pinkish and are easily collected during rainy weather. They are not the same worms as Nightcrawlers or Troutworms, which are sold as bait. Nightcrawlers and earthworms makes great staple diets, trout worms are larger than earthworms, and a red color. You might want to avoid troutworms as they can secrete a distasteful fluid(from what I've read). It's not very necessary to gut-load or dust worms, they are very nutritious as is.

As far as housing and that goes, I don't keep these salamanders, but the link here should have what you're looking for. Caudata Culture Species Entry - Salamandra salamandra - Fire Salamander

 

[Kaysie]

"Earthworm" is just a general term for a worm that lives in the dirt. Many of the worms dug outside are nightcrawlers (Lumbricus terrestris). They're very common in many parts of the US. They're also invasive. Lucky us.

Red wigglers (Eisenia foetida) are the worm that exude the noxious fluid, but it can be washed off. Some salamanders refuse them; some are gluttonous pigs that don't care.

If you're having a problem with common names, go by looks: you want the worms that are the size of your hand, pink, and squishy. If they're small, firm, and super-wiggly, they're not the ones for you.

Any earthworms will be fine as long as they're collected from a place that's free of pesticides and fertilizers. This includes bait shop and Wal-Mart worms (that's where I get mine).

Skip the sphagnum moss. It's too acidic.