what do i feed my new 2 1/2 inch yellow spotted salamander

Chopped up earthworms work great. You can also feed crickets and waxworms and the like, but chopped up earthworms (or just small ones) work great.

Alex

how do you feed them i don't think he will eat from my heads so do i take him out or just put them in

Spotteds tend to be shy but they eat well. If it hasn't eaten for you yet I would suggest putting a few crickets in (only a small number, like 3 or 4) and check the next morning to see if they are being eaten. You can try feeding with earthworms using a forceps or tweezers - persistence will usually pay off.

Just for everyone's information, the spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum is illegal to possess in the state of Massachusetts without permits, and Mass Fish Wildlife does not issue permits to private citizens for native wildlife. Trust me I have tried in the past. They don't care where you got it, they don't care if its captive bred. You will not get a permit for it. So sorry to rain on the parade.

PS I have been wanting marbled salamanders, Ambystoma opacum ever since I first laid eyes on them. Unfortunately the state considers it endangered, so I can't have it.

well that sucks

Yeah. My understanding is that surveys have shown that there are plenty of them out there since the law was first written. Unfortunately, fish & wildlife haven't gotten around changing it and I doubt they will. We are still waiting for them to legalize a bunch of animals that they said they would.

I had no idea MA was this restrictive. Kurt, what other Ambystoma are protected there? I have Ambystoma mavortium mavortium (formerly known as Ambystoma tigrinum) and Ambystoma talpoideum.

Originally Posted by John

I had no idea MA was this restrictive. Kurt, what other Ambystoma are protected there? I have Ambystoma mavortium mavortium (formerly known as Ambystoma tigrinum) and Ambystoma talpoideum.

You're fine with those. All the Ambystomids that are illegal in MA all natives, such A. maculatum, A. opacum, A. laterale, and so on. Tigers, moles, small mouths, axoltls, and so on are all perfectly legal. Here is the skinny on what is legal and illegal - http://www.neherp.com/state-regulati...-massachusetts

I, too have A. mavortium, as well as A. tigrinum melanostictum. Both perfectly legal. All illegal amphibians in Massachusetts are native to the state. Interestingly, the eastern spadefoot toad is the only illegal frog.

Thanks for the information, Kurt. So are all of the amphibians on that list native to MA?

I think so.

so if i keep him for now what is best to feed him you have these guys he is only 2/12 inch what i mean is other types and they mite be similar sized

Pretty much feed him the smae things you would feed your frogs.

ya but smaller

Exactly.

what is the best way to feed small salamanders

The same way you would feed your frogs, dust the crickets and throw them in.

ok thanks

You're welcome.

it eat for the first time 1 large cricket