Worms Are Ideal Food For Tailed Amphibians

2023 Author: Molly Page | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 22:49

Anyone who has ever kept newts or salamanders knows that a variety of worms are used as food. In this article, we'll show you what types of worms are commonly used for feeding, how to make them more nutritious, and whether you can grow them at home.

Acetic nematodes, or ugritsy (Panagrellus), enchytraeus, milk or white worms (Enchytraeus), tubifex (Tubifex tubifex). These small worms are suitable as food for adult tailed amphibians. These can be purchased as a starter culture.

Tubifex tubifex, photo worms photo picture

Tubule (Tubifex)

Ringed worms, or lumbriculus (Lumbriculus variegatus). These worms are an excellent food source, especially for young newts and picky eaters. In some pet stores, these worms are mistakenly called tubifex or bloodworms.

Storage Method: In the refrigerator, they can be kept alive for weeks, but it takes some effort. You can store these worms outside the refrigerator, but they grow quickly when warm. Keep them in a shallow container so that the water only covers them slightly, otherwise they will drown. Rinse daily with chilled, standing water. Chlorine is bad for them, but chemically removing chlorine from water can be even worse. If there is chloramine in the water, soak it for a while with a few grains of charcoal that can be removed from the filter.

If the worms begin to die and an unpleasant odor appears in the container, discard them immediately. Healthy worms should have a slight earthy smell, but by no means have a nasty smell.

Find out when this type of food goes to the pet store, and try to buy only fresh worms. Stores often violate storage technology, do not rinse the worms. Often times, sellers try to sell you old goods, even if you specifically ask for fresh ones. In addition, even fresh worms in hot weather can arrive at the store in a state of decomposition.

After purchasing worms, rinse them several times with water and let them sit for a day before using. This will give you the opportunity to wash away the dead and make sure the rest are healthy.

Earthworm

Bloodworm. These, strictly speaking, are not worms, but insects - aquatic larvae of the Chironomidae and Tendipedidae mosquitoes. They are usually bright red in color with visible trunk segments. In pet stores, you can buy bloodworms live as well as frozen.

Earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris). These are large worms. They are cultivated less frequently than compost worms, as they require more difficult conditions. Despite their large size, they are the main food for many tailed amphibians. You can buy them in the departments where products for anglers are sold.

European night crawl (Eisenia hortensis, Dendrobena). These large worms are suitable for home cultivation. Sold in some fishing departments.

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Dung worms (Eisenia foetida and Eisenia andreii). Small earthworms, reaching a length of 5 cm. They are quite nutritious, but when cut, they release a yellow liquid with an unpleasant odor, which is not pleasant to newts and salamanders. It is best to feed them whole, although some amphibians get used to eating them in pieces, despite the smell. Sold in fishing departments. Suitable for cultivation at home.

Excavated worms (various species) are worms that you can dig into the soil in your area. Available wherever there are no pesticides or other chemicals in the soil.

Dung worm (Eisenia fetida)

Stuffed worms. Why stuff with worms? Good question! Usually ordinary worms are used in feed. Indeed, they are quite nutritious without any special processing. But increasing their nutritional value will only benefit your tailed pets.

Method 1. Feeding the worms. Place the worms in a plastic container with substrate (raw coconut fiber or soil). Give them fish or newt food. You can add a pinch of calcium powder with vitamins or paprika, which contains carotene, to the food. Don't give too much food. Worms eat little and leftover food can become moldy.

Method 2. Filling the worms. Remove the worm from the container and cut into pieces. Use tweezers or a toothpick to fill the worm cavity with newt food or salmon or trout food.