Fed first earth-worm to newt

[brainlady]

This probably won't end up on the evening news, but it was quite an event in this house. I fed a worm to my Newt. My eldest son helped a bit with the cutting part, but I did manage to cut some of it and fed two pieces to Nibby who just gulped them down. I removed the fecal matter first and cut into bite sized pieces. Although it made me a bit squeamish because I don't like to watch anything suffer, I recognize the importance of an appropriate diet for my Newt and felt ok about the whole thing.
Nibby is very happy.

 

[Kaysie]

That's fantastic! It gets easier.




I still apologize to my worms.

 

[mewsie]

I still apologize to my worms.

Me too! And i thank them, too

Well done, brainlady! Glad to hear Nibby appreciated your efforts!

 

[brainlady]

Kaysie and Mewsie, I think I will start to do that too!!! I am going to put a small bar-fridge in my 'tank room' so that I can keep all the wiggly things my frogs, newt and fish eat. I have found a local sports shop that keeps earth-worms and will be getting a supply from them. I think I will be alright with this. I know I sound like such a 'girl', but this is all so new to me.
I have noticed that Nibby has gone from being super skinny and quite ill looking to rather Rubenesque.I don't want to make the mistake of over-feeding Nibby, but I was very concerned when I got him. Do I still feed every day, or can I go to every other day? I have another concern... (oh yes, there are lots with this new Mum)... he climbs on the plants in his tank and spends a lot of time on the bottom of his 'ramp' but has not ventured out of the water. I keep it at around 5.5 inches deep and there are several places that I designed where he could venture out into dry land. Do I need to be concerned. I managed to soften the sound of his little filter by placing a small piece of slate against the filter so that the flow of water is broken up. I change 50% of his water each week-end and treat it with Amquel+, which I use for my fish. His tank is cycled because I 'borrowed' filter medium from my fish tanks and used some tank decorations and substrate from my fish tanks. Is there anything else I should be doing for him? I have to say I am in love with him and would really like to further my understanding and knowledge of amphibians. I have been looking with some longing at my friends Axololt!!! I would like to rescue one if I do think I am ready. I do not want to purchase another animal that is caught in the wild. Again, thank you all for your help, I really, really appreciate it.

 

[Kaysie]

You can feed every other day.

This species is primarily aquatic. It's a good thing that he doesn't leave the water! You probably don't need to change so much water. You can probably get away with 20-30%, especially since you only have one animal in the tank.