Seriously inactive salamander

[motorherp]

My fire salamnder is the most antisocial creature I've ever met. He never moves from from the spot he has buried himself in other than when his viv is sprayed which he hates so he runs to the back and buries his head in the moss. I'm not sure if he's eating anything 'cos we never see him chase his food, it all goes somewhere but it could just be wondering around under all the moss and bark. At the moment he is on 2" of orchid bark and 2" moss so he can bury, he is sprayed daily but not drenched and has a separate bath to splash in.
Anyone any ideas? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]
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[Ravnos]

Salamanders in general are pretty prone to being inactive and hiding alot. Even in the wild, they spend most of their time huddled under a piece of bark or something, only venture out when they get hungry - assuming theres nothing to eat under the bark. Being a nocturnal creature, he may be coming out at night when your whole house gets quiet, and doing his thing.

What is the temperature like in his cage? Maybe if its too cold or too hot, maybe he is trying to hide to find a more comfortable temperature. There are many species called 'fire' salamanders, which do you mean? Most common would probably be the European one... which come from mountainous regions, and prefer cooler temperatures.

Really, without any more information, I think he's acting pretty normal for a salamander, I would try to make sure he is eating though. Lack of appetite is a sure sign that something else could be wrong.

Rav
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[motorherp]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, he, (or maybe she, I've no idea how to sex the poor wee thing) is a European striped fire salamnder I think that's a Salamandra salamandra bernarderzi . His temperature is OK, he's at room temperature which is about right for the frozen north of England. Think he might just be lazy, the only time I've seen him eat he waited for the cricket to come right to his mouth before he grabbed it! I know they are fairly inactive but this guy is really going for a record, thought my gecko was bad he is nothing compared!

Thanks again though I'll try and monitor his feeding [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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