Tiger dilema

[devynn]

This might sound stupid, but can tigers eat food in water? Is there a possibility of drowning or ingesting water and making them bloated? I read on some site that tigers can drown easily so you need to make it easy for them to get in and out of their water supply.

 

[rob]

That doesn't sound stupid.

As for eating in water, they should be able to eat in water no problems. I don't see why you'd have to though...feeding on land is usually simple enough. I'm sure eating in water would cause them to ingest some, but I don't think that would be a bad thing. They could become somewhat bloated from excess water.

Tigers can drown easily, so make sure it's easy for them to get out of the water. After morphing they're built more for digging, not swimming. Most terrestrial salamanders or newts will drown easily if a simple way of getting out of the water.

Hope that helps.

 

[samuel]

U have a point there Rob, abt the temp thingy. Devynn, congrats man, keep us posted.

 

[devynn]

First off, I would like to thank everybody for all the great advice they have given me these past few weeks. You all have been a great help and I really appreciate it.

My tiger is now eating aggressively again. He about swallowed half of the tweezers last night trying to eat. He came out of his cave and was running all over the tank trying to catch food. It was quite humerous! He even started a fight with another one, which he hasn't done for a LONG time! Now, my favorite one is acting different. He is still eating but hasn't begged for food in the last four days, which is very odd. I think that maybe the nightcrawlers have just filled him up so much that he doesn't want fed. Could that be it? Speaking of worms, is it strange for them to gag when they eat worms? I noticed all 3 of them gagging since I switched them over. And sometimes they use their back legs to dig in their mouths when eating. I don't know if the pieces are too big or what? I cut the worms in threes. Then when they swallow the worm they move their heads back and forth on the ground like it hurts to swallow or like they are choking. Is this normal or am I being paranoid?

 

[devynn]

No worries on my favorite one. I figured out that he just doesn't like worms. Talk about a pain! Last night I tried giving him a worm and he would gag and then wipe his nose in the dirt when I would touch him with it. What kind of salamander gags at food? It is really funny! So I went out and got some crickets and he is fine now, begging for food again.

 

[rob]

The head thrashing is normally...I think it's intended to immobilize prey....kind of like a terrestrial death roll of sorts is my best guess.

If they appear to be gagging it could be the pieces are too large...you may want to chop it smaller.

 

[devynn]

It isn't a head thrashing, like a dog shaking a toy, it is more of slow motion, painful, back and forth struggle. Although, they do the thrashing thing all the time. Everybody in my house finds feeding time quite entertaining.

 

[rob]

Hi Devynn,

That is what I mean by head thrashing...they put the tip of their nose down to the ground and rub it back and forth with the food still sticking out of their mouth.

I think this is normal..meant to disable prey as well as to help them get a better grip on their food. This is only speculation though..maybe someone else knows better.

 

[devynn]

My sal is doing great! He is begging for food and digging holes everywhere and doesn't pass up a chance to leap at my hand when I am cleaning them or feeding them. Thank you, everyone, for all your help!