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#613717
Blizzbean
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 Please help my salamander
Hello, I am a 2nd Grade teacher who adopted a small salamander when my student brought her in (in a coffee can). I believe she is either a blue-spotted or Jefferson salamander. I know she is a ’she’ because she had a baby before she ate it. I kept her at home for 2 months before bringing her to school and I know that stressed her out. Unfortunately, after gashing her tail twice by catching in between two rocks, she finally ripped her tail off (about 1-1 1/2 in.) before I figured out what was causing her injuries.
I have taken all her bedding out and replaced it with damp paper towels. The temp in the tank is about 76-78 degrees over her water but cooler over her cave. She has not eaten in over two weeks and when I put a bee moth by her today, she grabbed it and then spit it right out.
I’m afraid the combination of changing her habitat with the paper towel, the lack of eating, and the stress of her tail loss will kill her. I made the mistake of handling her a lot in the last two weeks so I’m not going to mess with her for a little. Can she survive this? Any suggestions? The exotic pet store told me not to put any medicine on her wound and that she would clean it herself.
Thank you ~ blizzbean and Sally the Salamander
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01/20/06 07:56pm
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#613734
Gecko craze
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Message To: Blizzbean In reference to Message Id: 613717
Please help my salamander
Have you tried feeding her worms(red wigglers, small earthworms)?? All salamanders love worms. I’m sure she would gladly accept those!! Don’t worry. There is a great chance she will pull through!
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01/20/06 08:06pm
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#613760
NeWts-of-fire
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Message To: Gecko craze In reference to Message Id: 613734
Please help my salamander
you can also feed her some blood worms or black worms, dont worry anfibians are great at regrowing body parts.
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01/20/06 08:27pm
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#621181
Amphibidude
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Message To: Blizzbean In reference to Message Id: 613717
Please help my salamander
try sand/gravel,well maybe just let her be for 1-2 weeks.try to plan lesson about animals in your area/teach respect and care.she’ll probly be ok.sorry,though 
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01/25/06 07:17pm
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#621186
Amphibidude
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Message To: Blizzbean In reference to Message Id: 613717
Please help my salamander
try sand/gravel,well maybe just let her be for 1-2 weeks.try to plan lesson about animals in your area/teach respect and care.she’ll probly be ok.sorry,though.tell kids to leave her be for a while.don’t take her back home
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01/25/06 07:19pm
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#621740
Weeble
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Message To: Amphibidude In reference to Message Id: 621186
Please help my salamander
Please do not put the salamander on sand or gravel. Salamanders tend to be aggressive when they eat. They have poor eyesight and tend to strike at anything that moves. Because of this, they tend to take in incidental objects. Most frequently, this is plant matter that is unintentionally consumed when the salamander strikes at an insect. The problem with sand and gravel, though, is that they can pose a real danger to the salamander’s digestive system. Sand cannot be passed as well as other materials, and tends to remain in the body. Over time it can accumulate and cause intestinal impactions. Frequently, this leads to the death of the animal. Gravel can cause blockages as well. Both should be avoided in favor of an untreated sphagnum moss substrate. Good luck with the salamander. Please keep us posted.
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01/26/06 01:36am
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