How do I know if my Tiger Salamander is eating?? and what soil is best?

[frantic]

Thank-you for all the information I received in my last question!!! We have moved the Tiger into a land envirionment... but if he spends all his time buried, how do we know that he is alive, or if he has eaten???

Also, what type of 'dirt' is appropriate, and less expensive. Currently we have 'snake' substrata in his tank... but somewhere in the information I read it suggested this was not good long term. At $14. a brick for coconut bark this little guy would cost me more to maintain then my dogs and cats. Can I use just plain old potting top soil, and how wet should the soil, or substrata be?? Can I use alfalfa pellets, I have two bags of these sitting around?
Thank-you for all the help...

 

[matt]

I think garden worms would be a good food and cant you see the axy at all?

 

[andy]

no to potting mix.....it contents things like fertiliser etc.......a nice dark soil from your garden(area which hasn't been treated with anything).......dampen the soil with a slash of water(50 mL) and spray with misting bottle every second day......if you want to see your sallie make an artifical burrow......simply dig a small trench in the soil next to the glass side and cover with a piece of perspex and cover with some moss.......then just tape a piece of cardboard on the glass next to the burrow only at the top so it acts like a hinge and you've got a perfect sallie burrow

 

[andy]

as for the feeding question.....tap on the glass a few times just before you add livefood (crickets, mealworms etc...) and it'll soon learn that a tap means food and well come out for a feed

 

[kai]

You did read Ed's caresheet at Caudatecentral, didn't you?

I'd suggest the plastic box set-up as a compromise between the species natural requirements, ease of maintaining/controlled feeding/hygienic conditions, and being able to have a look at your "pet" to be sure that it's fine (and maybe feeding it with forceps).

Here's a pic:
http://www.caudata.org/caudatecentral/editor/amby1.html
http://www.caudata.org/caudatecentral/editor/amby2.html

I'd suggest to completely remove the water bowls and to establish a humidity gradient by placing a semiporous clay pot (such as used for plant pots but without a draining hole) close to one of the corners. Keep it full of water and covered by a lid. Before using it, submerge it for several days in a clean bucket of water to remove alkalinity.

Add more hiding places (better use separate boxes for each mole salamander).

BTW, I prefer mineral based substrates (e.g. sandy clay or deeper garden soil (unpolluted with any pesticides)) over most commercial products. If you have to use potting soil make very sure that it hasn't been fertilized and that the pH is not too acid (pH 7-8 would be best) - some cat litter may be better but you'd have to experiment since the quality (from a salamnder POV) varies wildly.

Best wishes,
kai