Photo: Obese spotted salamander

[igor]

Hi! I an worried about one of my spotted salamanders. She is a voracious eater, and has gotten quite plump over the last few months. In the past few weeks,I've limited her food intake to a couple of crickets a week, but she's looking bigger than ever. I was wondering what your opinion would be of her size. This picture was taken this morning. Thanks!

 

[AngieD]

I'm not really knowledgeable about these sals, but other members may be able to help. Some things they might need to know in order to help you could include:

What is she eating? You have already mentioned crickets, but is there anything else you feed her on?
Has her behaviour changed during this time?
Does she have difficulty moving?
Is it breeding season for them?

Sorry I can't particuarly help, but if you answer these questions it might speed up getting help from someone who knows about spotteds

 

[igor]

She's alert and active, and her behavior hasn't changed. I've only given her crickets the past few weeks, but she will also eat waxworms (snipped, heads crushed) and the occasional earthworm or slug.

Breeding season for her species is in March-April, so I doubt she's gravid. Her belly is soft and feels bloated.

 

[Kaysie]

How warm are you keeping her? Have you noticed any poop?

 

[igor]

The house is kept at about 74-76 degrees, though we place ice packs around where she hides. I haven't seen any poop at all.

 

[Kaysie]

It might be that she's impacted.

Try cooling her off (perhaps in the fridge, if necessary) and see if that gets her to poop any.

 

[igor]

Thanks for your quick reply!

What would be the ideal temperature to keep her in the fridge, and for how long?

 

[Kaysie]

Around 40F is a good temperature, for about a week. Keep her on moist, unbleached paper towels.

 

[igor]

Thanks! We did as you said and put her in a small critter keeper with moist unbleached napkins. My concern right now is that she seems VERY stressed and frightened- she's pressed to the edge of then container and breathing very fast. Hopefully she will calm down?

 

[Kaysie]

Try giving her a hide. I've used solo cups cut in half long-way quite successfully.

 

[igor]

Thanks, I gave her a hide and she seems much more relaxed. She's curled up inside and has slowed down a great deal.

 

[DoMforce182]

How did she end up?

 

[igor]

She pooped this evening after five days in the fridge. I don't think we've ever been so excited to see salamander poop! :happy: She's still big, but doesn't look nearly so bloated. Thank you all for your help! I think she's happy to be back in her old hide.

 

[igor]

Here she is now. Looking a lot better. She says thank you!

 

[geckomama2003]

Igor,
I'm so glad this turned out well for your salamander.
Could someone explain the physiological reason for cooling down a salamander to get them to poop? Is it that they flush out their systems before hibernation to prevent rotting of undigested food? I'm really just curious.

 

[Steve B]

YAY! Glad to see things turned out well!