Spiders?

[pete]

Since I have a basement apartment, I am never more than a few feet from a spider. Usually, I just leave them to do their thing. I've been wondering if it would be wise to toss one in with the tiger salamanders every once in a while. I've fed them the occasional long-legged cellar spiders with no problems. Any insect-eating creature that lives under logs and stones, must have numerous encounters with spiders, which probably end up eaten. I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience feeding their caudates spiders relating to bites, etc.

 

[ester]

According to the book "Der Feuersalamander", salamandra lives on a diet of 30% snails and 22% spiders (the two main animals they prey on).
This is in Europe, I have no clue if your local spiders pose any risk.

 

[joan]

Pete, I also have a basement apartment, and occasionally an unfortunate spider will take up residence in one of my open-topped ambystomatid tanks. Their misfortune

 

[kelly]

I would be careful handling the top right spider if you find one. It looks rather like a 'hobo' spider which are naturally aggressive to just about anything and can give a nasty bite... Most of the time their bites are dry but people have been known to get a wet bite from one of these things and develop a big open sore. Dunno about the other 3 spiders you've shown but I wouldn't recommend putting this one in your pets tank just in case.

 

[pete]

Okay, I guess I'll try it. I don't get Hobo spiders in my apartment, but I do get yellow sac spiders. Either way, I don't think I'd try one that I know gives nasty bites.

 

[pin-pin]

If you do happen to feed spiders/moths/quick things, one thing I'd recommend is to 'cool them' in the fridge first.

This usually slows them down (but doesn't kill them) for easier handling and feeding to your animals.