Tiger coming out of hibernation...

[kris]

I am new to this site (it is the best I've found, by the way) and in need of some advice. We've had a "wild" salamander for about four years, now. We found him in a covered window well so he must have been there for years. Read everything we could find on Tigers and made that well as luxurious as we could for him. He would come out from his hiding hole at the click of our tongs and eat, swim in the pool and, at times, walk right up to the window and stare at us for food. So, you see... He became a pet. We moved and brought him with us and summered him indoors last year. Put him in the new (extremely amended) well to hibernate and HE IS UP! I brought him in in an attempt to keep his climate more regulated for the summer (it's hot here -- and VERY dry). He won't eat. I bought a light upon recommendation. They say he knows he is unable to digest food until his body temp reaches a certain level. It is at one end of the tank and there is a pool and hiding places and almost a foot of soil to burrow in. Please help me if you can. I so love this little fellow. We have a number of animals, but this one just has touched my very soul. Thank you so much.
Kris Haller
Denver, CO (USA)}}

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[john]

Dear Kris,

Whoever told you about the light doesn't know a lot about amphibians - please double check their advice in future. A light works for reptiles but amphibians most certainly are not reptiles. It is true that rate of digestion lowers with temperature but amphibians will frequently feed at low temperatures. If it's too cold for digestion the salamander won't eat (i.e. they're not stupid).

Tiger salamanders like to be able to burrow - I would recommend you keep the animal in a large vivarium with many inches of soil in which to burrow.

Keep the animal cool, with no bright lighting and try it with several different foods ("nightcrawlers" are one of their favourites - they find them very hard to resist). It might take a while to come around but with a little luck things should be ok.

In any case, get rid of the light right now.

 

[kris]

John:

THANK YOU so much for the response. Alright. The light is official history-maybe they'll take a return. I knew you guys would help. The man I talked to was Petsmart's "reptile expert". I asked him over and over, "Are you sure? He's a salamander. They like it cool." I was so, so leary of the light because over the years I have done everything in my power to keep "Sammy" cool and moist, but still allow in natural light. He looks really good to me. Not skinny, more moist, shiny and plump than when I brought him in.

I have almost a foot of burrowing topsoil and peat mix in there with hiding rocks, a pool and some moss mounds. He's not digging around, yet. But, he loves his little red rock. Still, I'm bothered that he hasn't been turning the place upside down by burrowing. I'm trying so hard to be patient. I've read the other postings and know I'm not alone!

One more question for you. Should I just keep him indoors year round as opposed to moving him in and out? My intention was to allow him to be as he was at the other house. But, these are aluminum wells and are so hot and dry in the summer - even with a cover. I have read they really require hibernation and will live longer if they do. I've also read that they DON'T actually hibernate - just slow down in winter months.

Thank you so very, very much for you help. I've been researching these critters for awhile and have just recently come upon your site. What a pool of information, eh? Wow...

Kris



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[john]

If I had a cent for every time someone reported a pet store employee giving reptile advice for amphibians, I wouldn't have to request donations to run this site .

If he's not thin and looks healthy, yet isn't eating, don't worry too much.

You live in Colorado from what you said. My knowledge of American geography and climate tells me that despite the fact that it gets warm in the summer, it gets awfully cold in the winter in CO. I would think that native tigers would really hibernate in a climate like that (i.e. they would find a hole and stay in it for months).

Personally if he is a pet I would keep him indoors in a large vivarium all year round. It's not absolutely necessary to hibernate them in the winter, though it should give the animal a sense of seasonality and might help longevity.

Remember that wild caught adults could be any age - he might be near the end of his life, it's nearly impossible to tell.

I'm glad you like the site. We aim to please

.

 

[kris]

John:

F-f-f-ast responses! Wow. Thank you.

I have a feeling this fellow is old. You'll probably think I need some medication when I tell you this. But, I feel like there is a sort of "understanding" between this human and that little amphibian (you, being a scientist, would argue that he recognizes me only as a food source). Still, if he is in his last days - they'll be glory ones at that.

As of today, he is officially an inside pet. Yippee!

I'm going to sit on my hands and trust him (and you) with this food refusal. I'll try and keep my fingers off the "Panic Button" for now.

You, my friend, shall be our guest should you ever decide to come and visit the great Rocky Mountains of the USA!

Kris



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[john]

Thanks Kris

. I'll look you up if I'm ever in Colorado!

 

[kris]

Just an update... Our fellow still will not eat We've tried wax worms, red wiggles, grasshoppers, crickets, etc.. I have been wondering about the substrate as he has not burrowed at all and just hides in his rock. Last night, after dark, I found him climbing the sides. Your forums here suggest that the acidity might be too high from the peat moss when they do that.

So, last night I am shoveling out the four day old substate (topsoil & peat) at bedtime in my pajamas (ie: husband thinks I'm completely ready for sanitarium). Anyway, I put in the last bag of top soil I had and, bada-boom-bada-bang! This morning I find him underground and his place looks like a war zone after all of the digging.

I'm sure his food refusal has a number of factors: hibernation, habitat change and all. But, I am thinking this acidity of the peat moss must have been a major issue after seeing him burrow like this.

I can't thank you guys enough for such an informative site. I am thinking we'll just stay with the topsoil from now on.

Keeping my fingers crossed that he'll eat soon.

Kris

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