Spotted Salamander help...

[ZebraDruid]

Hey, I got a spotted salamander yesterday (it was quite a surprise too) and I have a tank setup and everything. I was wondering about food though. I read that feeding them crickets and earthworms is fine. I have crickets, but for the earthworms, do I just put them in the tank and the salamander will eventually find them, or do they need a special bowl so the salamander will find them more easily? Besides this, I'm just waiting for an opportunity to get some good soil as a substrate, as right now I'm just have paper towels covering the bottom and moss almost completely covering the bottom, except for the spots where the water bowl and his little log cave I put in are. Just trying to make sure I'm getting everything right, as I've wanted a large ambystomid salamander for a long time. Thanks in advance.

 

[454]

For my salamanders, I dangle the worm in front of their mouth. I have had salamanders that refuse to eat out of my hands though.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Spotted salamanders are notoriously shy so you may just have to end up putting a little dish in there and leave chunks of worm in it overnight. With the setup you have them in now you can just toss the worms in there and let them find them on their own.

If you haven't already, check out this caresheet. It's for the tiger salamander but the care requirements for spotteds are practically the same.

 

[ZebraDruid]

Ok, thanks a bunch! And would you suggest I go ahead and get the soil for a substrate, or is the way I have it fine?

 

[Otterwoman]

I like the "professional" soil mixes, like Jungle Carpet. They have a nice fluffy texture, regular soil is so...hard.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

I like the "professional" soil mixes, like Jungle Carpet. They have a nice fluffy texture, regular soil is so...hard.

Dawn, to combat this I use a 50/25/25 mix of soil, coco fiber, and peat. If you ever get a chance to try it you should give it a shot.

 

[ZebraDruid]

Ok, thanks a bunch.