Strangest thing happened with my tiger during feeding

[JenniferLynn]

Hello all! So I fortunately have a great feeder, who just recently found out about nightcrawlers. I have a tiger salamander in the middle of his metamorphosis, but is still eating. Last night after giving him two segments of a nightcrawler (he typically eats a whole one and then some) he began acting disinterested in the food but followed my forceps and at first started to climb on them. He continued to do this all the way onto his patch of land where he stood on his hide with his head outstretched out the way my cat would behave when she wants affection.

Not knowing what this meant I did pet him gently (after wetting my hands). he climbed down and swam around in his water. I tried giving him a worm segment one more time, and again he seemed disinterested in food but completely curious about me. I put the tongs down and put my fingers in his water and he immediately came up and put his head on my fingers, wiggling his way up until I had supported his underbelly. He stayed here for a minute before slinking back into his watery depths. This is my first tiger salamander being raised as a late stage larvae.. I'm confused- is he trying to send me a message about what he would like, or is my little guy actually seeking out affection? I don't think that's even something they do?

A little extra info: he is in a 20gal long with 6 inches of land (he thus far has seemed rather disinterested in actually being out of the water, but loves the shallow parts) but the land is currently just slate with a hide.

 

[Cliygh and Mia]

I know this is a fairly old post, but I don't know? Maybe he was tired of worms and wanted to see if you had any other food? Hopefully someone else with knowledge can respond to you

 

[ellenc]

All of my pet tigers socialize with me(oldest ones are 13 and 12 years old). How often varies seasonally.

 

[Teeglor]

I feel my tiger socializes and tries to communicate with me as well. Which is weird, because one wouldn't think that would be something they are capable of... But I could swear my little guy was conscious of me several times.

 

[JenniferLynn]

Months later, and he still seems interested in me. The few times I've handled him to measure his growth, he has NO interest in climbing off my hand and back into the enclosure. He is no longer a fan of worms, but at this time- it was the only thing he'd go for. I feel bad; sometimes I think he WANTS me to handle him more than I do.. So occasionally I pet him, and he seems to enjoy it?

 

[Teeglor]

Their skin is really sensitive to the oils and salts of our skin, so over handling is not good.

But I too give my boy a pat on the head or a pet under the chin or stroke down the back from time to time (with clean hands). I've let him crawl on my shirt a couple times too...

If he pulls away or rubs his head I know he does not want me to touch; he's just begging for food.

If he stays still or comes closer to me I continue for a bit.

I'm very liberal in the way I care for him lol I can't help it. I definitely handle him more than the breeders I know would.

Don't handle him too often or for too long (I know it's hard) but definitely talk to him lots.

If you're worried he's lonely get him another tiger for a friend.


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[JenniferLynn]

I try not to handle him much, and when I do it's with clean hands that I have wet in the water part of his vivarium! He's never responded to my hands as food; I'm positive at this point he knows the distance. The biggest issue is getting him back into his home! I'm trying to find a friend, but I'm having difficulty finding a friend for him that is close to his size.. He's 9 1/2" so far. I occasionally talk to him, but I'll try more if it helps keep him entertained!