Taricha Granulosa Larva Eating Less

[shaun]

Hi there, I am raising a taricha granulosa, and over the last two days, he has been less enthusiastic about eating. I'm not too worried yet, as his last meal was a waxworm that was nearly as big as him, but does anyone have any ideas concerning his behaviour? He's been taking air at the surface a lot lately, and his gills aren't receding but they seem to be a bit more wilted, so I have a feeling that he's going to morph withing the next few weeks. He also recently shed. Could the morphing effect his appetite? Thanks for your time.

 

[benjamin]

How big is he?

 

[shaun]

He's about 4cm long, and has been demonstrating mature colouration.

 

[benjamin]

I remember when I had a newt that was about to morph. It was a smooth newt (Triturus vulgarus) and the change in colour from light from to an almost green colour was one of the first signs, it was about 4cm long, I think smooths are about the same size as Taricha granulosa, though they are completely unrelated species from opposite sides of the earth. Morphing does affect the newt's appetite a bit and they can be difficult to feed because they need to eat really small terrestrial foods. My recommendation would be to go out side search for some slug eggs (under rocks, underground, or under piles of leaves), put them in a container in a warm shady place and when the eggs hatch, fairly quickly, feed the hatchlings to the newt. Be sure that what ever you feed it will attract the newts attention visually.