Question: Rescued Newt - feeding questions

[JenniferJ]

Hello, I'm new to all this and was hoping for some help - this forum seems to be chalk full of knowledgable people.

My husband brought home what seems to be a little red bellied newt. He found it on a walking path in a dog park, the pond where it probably crawled from was quite far away and mostly dried up. He wasn't looking so good so my kind hearted husband brought it home. I immediately went on a google search for what this animal might be and what it's needs are - I did find some conflicting information which is why I'm here today.

We scooped gravel, rocks and pond water from where it was found since we were afraid our tap water would shock it. I made a little home for it out of a glass tank (We plan on making some changes to the habitat to give him a nicer home - deeper water, more hidey places, plants etc.

My big concern is his diet. Surprisingly he's already eaten two small crickets. They drowned themselves in the water almost immediately and a short time later the newt (named "Toothless" by my 11yr old daughter), ate at least one of them. We witnessed the first meal, but not the second - I can't find the cricket anywhere so assuming he ate that too. That was 2 days ago, we've had him for 4 days now.

I also purchased frozen bloodworms - that did NOT go well. He showed zero interest in them, unless I was doing it totally wrong. I thawed out a cube, used tweezers to try and dangle them near his face but he didn't want any part of it.

I have also purchased "Zoo Med's Leopard / Gecko Food" which is tiny dried flies and a variety of vitamins/minerals. He may or may not have eaten these, I sprinkled a few of them on the water surface.

If the newt will easily eat a small cricket, is that enough for him as a regular diet?
Any help is appreciated

 

[AngieD]

Crickets are not an ideal staple for newts/salamanders. Try him on a variety of foods, both live and pre-killed - many wild caudates won't eat something unless it's moving.

Try giving him washed earthworms, and don't worry about the fact he hasn't eaten every day, congratulations on getting him to eat something so soon after bringing him home.

 

[kay]

Caudata Culture Species Entry - Taricha granulosa

Take a look at this. I might be mistaken, but the pictures you posted look very similar to a Taricha. If so, be very careful while handling yours, they are arguably the most toxic species recorded.

Good luck,
Kay.

 

[JenniferJ]

Yes that does look like it. I've been thinking about this a lot over the last 24hrs and I've decided to return him to the park where we found him. There are still some small ponds left - normally it's one big lake but the area dries up considerably over the summer Or do you think it would be best to release him to a different pond, one that we know never risks drying up?

 

[Azhael]

Do you have any other amphibians or fish at home?
There are concerns with releasing animals back into the wild, because of the possibility of introducing patogens. That´s essentially the reason why it is illegal to do so in many places (it may be in your area).
If it´s the only herp/fish in your house, i don´t see why there would be a concern, but otherwise it may be preferable to keep the newt.

If you do decide to keep it, make sure to read the caresheets and the CC articles. Your current housing is not adequate. You can find all the necessary info in the CC articles and around the forum, and learn how to provide good captive conditions.
As for food, the leopard gecko pellets are not adequate. The ideal food are earthworms, so give those a try.

 

[JenniferJ]

The only other pets we have are a dog and a hamster. Which btw strangely enough the hamster has had a couple of REALLY bad episodes after my daughter has previously handled the newt. Even with washing her hands but you know how kinds can sometimes not be super thorough.
We've decided to return it back to it's natural home. Oh well, lesson learned! At least I did learn something new