Probably one of the first questions a child asks when they acquire this pet is, “what do salamanders eat?” They instinctively know that a human’s diet is not adequate for an amphibian creature that lives both on dry land and in the water, but have no idea what foods their diet might include. They also know that it is important to find the answer to this question for the well being of their new pet.
Many types of salamanders live a split life; part as a landlubber, while the other half is spent swimming in streams and lakes. There are a few types of salamanders that live exclusively within the watery confines, however, and some that are totally terrestrial. Each habitat is equally as important to this little creature, offering vital aspects for their livelihood and procreation. They are interesting creatures; long bodies and long tails give them the appearance of snakes, yet they possess smooth, scale-less skin. Their small heads feature short noses, both the upper and lower jaws present teeth used for chewing and a tongue that is used for capturing prey. They lack any type of external opening for hearing, but their eyes are highly sensitive.
Breeding and egg laying of the salamander is generally done within a stream or pond, but may also occur in the damp soil of their habitat. The eggs hatch into larvae that are gilled and aquatic; a stage that can last from a period of days to several years. These larvae feast upon small microorganisms that are found in the still waters of ponds. As they grow, they will consume larger organisms, and within 6 to 8 weeks will begin to feed upon the larvae of mosquitoes and tubiflex worms. By the time the salamanders reach adulthood, their diet changes to include larger prey that is capable of sustaining their appetite. Children may be a bit dismayed when they receive the answer to their question “what do salamanders eat”; especially when they hear about the maggots and crickets that are so enjoyed by the small, slender carnivorous amphibians.
When a salamander is kept as a pet, their diet should be closely supervised to ensure they are receiving the nutritional values they need. Mealworms are easily accessible in pet stores and department stores that carry a variety of pet foods, and will often be fed to the salamanders. Unfortunately, these mealworms cannot support a fully dietary requirement of the amphibian. When kept as pets, salamanders are unable to perform their natural hunt for prey and fully depend upon their human to supply them with the food they need. Therefore, be prepared to become a hunter if you have one as a pet; seeking beetles, millipedes, moths and earthworms to act as meal plans. What do salamanders eat in addition to these insects? They may also enjoy eating water invertebrates that are found in the streams of their natural habitats, as well as crustaceans. Many shops specializing in aquarium accessories will carry these types of foods, thereby eliminating the need for hunting them on your own.
In addition to knowing the types of foods the salamander needs for survival, it is also necessary to know the physiological nature of the amphibian. It is important to know that these creatures must be handled as little as possible. Humans secrete oils from the pores of the skin that can prove to be very harmful to the little salamander, and likewise they exude fluid that is necessary for their health but can be irritants for humans.
Asking the question, “what do salamanders eat” is the first step for the child to learn the needs of this aquarium pet. Properly fed and cared for, the salamander can spend many happy years living in the aquarium.