Feeding Red Efts?

[jbherpin]

What is the most reliable food item for Efts? I have available to me: White Worms, Fruit Flies (flightless), Garden Worms, Crickets, Sow/Pill Bugs (Rollie-Pollie), and Slugs. Which of these are the best to offer for growth and weight gain? It is approx. 2.5" long at the moment, and newly acquired today 8-26-09. It refused cut garden worms, but it may be a result of stress, rather than the food being wrong. I will post pics when I take some. Thanks in advance.

-jbherpin-

 

[Nathan050793]

Although mine didn't make it, when raising them I had some success with springtails. I also know some others who have had success using them. I'd think whiteworms and fruit flies would also work well.

Chopped worm pieces are worth a shot; with persistence I've heard that they'll take them too.


Good Luck!

 

[xMIDNIGHTx]

Pin-head crickets seem to add more growth over fruit flies. I have read this several times in threads on this forum. I would still use a variety of food and offer the whiteworms, ff, baby woodlice, springtails, etc. One thing to keep in mind is that some of this food (crickets/ff) will need require some occasional dusting of calcium/vitamins. Gut loading the crickets is also a good idea and always remove the uneaten crickets (as you most likely already know). Hand feeding worms can work with patience down the road.

Good luck!

Mitch

 

[jbherpin]

As an update, my little eft has eaten a garden worm tip, white worms and at least a few fruit flies. I think I will try as many of the above mentioned prey and keep in rotation only what it accepts.
If anyone has another option, please share as I'd love the little guy to stay with me long term!

-jbherpin-

 

[Nathan050793]

Well, if he's eating for you, then you're already off to a good start!

 

[jbherpin]

I was very happy with his health when I saw him this morning. He has proven shy, but voracious (as voracious as a 2.5" eft can be)! Might as well branch this away from food prey, What is the best terrestrial set-up scenario? Right now he/she is in a small temp container with a small exo-terra water dish approx. 1/8" deep. The substrate is a soil compost (all natural from leaves bark, etc.) with 2 bark sleeves covered with moist moss. Is the water dish not needed at this point, or should I keep it in the larger long-term home? Any ideas are welcome!

-jbherpin-

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Right now the setup it is in sounds just fine, although you don't need the water dish. Efts are very delicate and as such a small container makes it easier to monitor their health and food intake.

 

[jbherpin]

Thanks Justin, and that is a great point. As I said he is very shy, and not too visible in the tank, so adding more space to hide will surely complicate feedings and verifying consumption. I will keep you all posted!

-jbherpin-