Identification and feeding help?

[taythib]

I'm sort of new to this, but if you've read my introduction thread, ive recently found a salamander in a local stream, and decided to build a tank for it. Ive had it for about 24 hours, but im still not sure:

1. What kind of salamander

I'm not quite sure but i think its Pseudotriton montanus from a few amphibian field guides i have. Ill post pictures.

2. What and if it will eat

I went and got 2 wood lice, a small earthworm (which i cut in half), and a mealworm out of my back yard and put them in the cage, but he just ignored them. I even tried to wiggle the worm in his face, as this used to work wonderfully with my fire-bellied toads, but still to no avail. Im guessing he is still just a bit nervous.

any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Kaysie]

I saw your other thread, so I'll edit my post.

Rather than a mud salamander, I think it's a Pseudotriton ruber. The snout is too long to be a mud salamander, and while it's not always accurate, usually mud salamanders have dark eyes and ruber have yellow eyes.

 

[taythib]

Thanks! Any tips on feeding?

 

[Kaysie]

Try feeding in the dark without disturbing it too much. Drop a worm (or a chunk, sometimes the blood helps encourage feeding response) in front of it, but far away enough that they don't touch it's snout.

 

[taythib]

Try feeding in the dark without disturbing it too much. Drop a worm (or a chunk, sometimes the blood helps encourage feeding response) in front of it, but far away enough that they don't touch it's snout.

Alright thanks. Should it snap at it? Or are they usually a bit more passive than that? The toads i used to have were somewhat...."aggressive" when eating and im not sure how similar this might be.

 

[Kaysie]

It should be pretty aggressive, but might need a day or two to settle in.

 

[taythib]

great ill keep this in mind!

 

[asw864]

Any luck with the feeding?
I'm in the same situation you were in. Any advice?
Allen

 

[Lamb]

The critter in the images is a Desmognathus, not a Pseudotriton.

 

[Vern5384]

The critter in the images is a Desmognathus, not a Pseudotriton.

I agree.

 

[Kaysie]

Thanks Lamb. I'm not so good with my plethodontids

 

[taythib]

Thanks for the help everyone! I have really been enjoying the little guy. He has really come around to eating. He loves hiding under a big rock I have in there for him.