Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I brought home 2 wild caught yellow spotted yesterday. I put them in a 10 gal with the following substrate from top down:

Rocks,Leaf litter
6" of vermiculite/Organic potting soil mix
activated charcoal layer
gravel

The tank is misted and kept in a cool location

Now what to feed?
Crickets? earthworms, just cut them loose in the tank?
Any information would be helpful.

Thanks
Ham

I am assuming that you are referring to Ambystoma maculatum. I have personally never kept this species but it sounds like that you are on the right track. Loose earthworms may disappear into the substrate so it may be better to try and offer them directly in front of the animals via forceps. For more detailed information check the postings here http://www.caudata.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=38

Chip Reves

Hey Chip
Thank you for taking the time to help me out.
I will try to utilze the method you described, with forceps.
They really are fat and healthy looking so hopefully they will be receptive.
with gratitude,
ham

crickets, earthworms, slugs, wax worms, pheniox worms, silkworms, mealworms, isopods, and house flies are all generally accepted by this species. i have kept many and you will find that they tend to be very reclusive, only venturing out after the lights are off and are easy to scare, so hand feeding usually takes some time and effort to achieve, though i find it to be the best way to ensure good health in amphibs.

Thank you very much for the information. Sounds like you have a lot of experience with them. I am wondering, how about longevity?
Thanks much
Ham

the longest i have had personally was 15 years, but it was held by someone else for 6 years prior. most i let go after a year or two. i generally try not to keep to many native species.