They sit quietly in the mud or under a log, barely moving, but when the moment is right, they strike fast and grab their food with no hesitation. If you’ve ever watched a salamander eat, you might wonder just how meat-loving they really are.
Yes, salamanders are carnivores. They eat live animals like insects, worms, and tiny aquatic creatures. From the moment they hatch, salamanders are built to hunt. Even the tiniest ones will go after moving prey, and they keep doing it for the rest of their lives.
Salamanders Start Eating Meat Right After Hatching
Unlike some amphibians like frogs, which start life as tadpoles eating algae or decaying matter, salamander hatchlings skip the plant stage entirely.
Most baby salamanders hatch as tiny versions of the adults, already equipped with little mouths and a hunger for meat.
Even the ones that hatch as aquatic larvae are active hunters from the start.
In the water, they chase down things like:
- mosquito larvae
- brine shrimp
- water fleas
- other tiny aquatic bugs
They often go after anything smaller than themselves, and that sometimes includes their own siblings.
This early hunting instinct is a big part of what makes them successful. They don’t wait for food to come to them.
Even at just a few days old, they’re out there tracking, snapping, and swallowing prey whole.
How Adult Salamanders Hunt
Most adult salamanders use the same basic hunting strategy: lie in wait, stay still, and strike when the time is right.
Some species, like the tiger salamander, hide just under the surface of the soil with only their head poking out. Others, like the slimy salamander, creep slowly through leaf litter, flicking their tongues to test the air for chemical cues.
When they sense movement (either through smell or vibration) they lunge forward and grab their prey with a sudden snap of the jaws or a lightning-fast tongue flick.
There’s no chewing involved. They simply gulp it down and settle back in place, waiting for the next meal.
In captivity, this instinct can be seen clearly. If you drop in a worm, cricket, or roach, the salamander may sit still for a few moments, but once it zones in on the movement, it strikes with almost no warning.
What Kinds of Animals Do Salamanders Eat?
That depends on the species, size, and habitat. But all of it is animal-based.
Land-dwelling salamanders tend to eat:
Aquatic salamanders or larval-stage salamanders eat:
- tiny fish
- insect larvae
- small crustaceans
- aquatic worms
- tadpoles (sometimes)
Larger or more aggressive species may eat:
- frogs
- smaller salamanders
- pinky mice (rare, in captivity only)
- baby snakes
- anything they can overpower and swallow
This is why most people who keep salamanders as pets feed them a steady diet of live insects like crickets, earthworms, mealworms, or wax worms.
Some species will also accept thawed frozen foods, like bloodworms or mysis shrimp, especially in aquatic tanks.
Do Salamanders Ever Eat Dead Animals or Plants?
Not by choice.
They don’t eat carrion, and they won’t touch rotting meat. If a piece of food isn’t moving or doesn’t smell right, most salamanders will ignore it completely.
Their instincts are wired to detect movement and scent cues from live animals.
The same goes for plants. They don’t eat leaves, roots, fruit, or algae. Their digestive systems are not built to break down plant material, and it doesn’t provide the protein and nutrients they need to survive.
Even in captivity, you won’t see them nibbling on moss or tank plants. If there’s no meat, they’re not interested.
Are There Any Exceptions?
Not really.
Every known species of salamander is considered carnivorous. Some might scavenge or opportunistically nibble soft, meaty material from something dead in extreme cases, but this isn’t normal behavior.
And no salamanders are herbivores or omnivores. There’s never been a species found that relies on plants in any way for its food.
Some researchers have tried offering plant-based food in lab or captive settings. The result? The salamanders ignored it or starved. Their bodies simply aren’t made for anything but meat.
Cannibalism in Salamanders
As harsh as it sounds, cannibalism does happen,especially in young salamanders that hatch in close quarters.
If food is limited or there’s not enough space, some hatchlings will turn on their siblings. In species like the tiger salamander, certain individuals even develop bigger heads and wider jaws, specifically built for eating other larvae.
This isn’t something they do for fun. It’s survival. And it’s another clue that they are deeply carnivorous at their core. Their first instinct is to hunt, even if that means turning on their own kind.
Adults are less likely to do this unless they’re starving, but in a pinch, even that can happen.
How Much Do Salamanders Eat?
In the wild, it depends on how much food is around. Salamanders are cold-blooded, so they don’t burn calories the same way mammals do. They can go longer without eating if they need to.
But when food is plentiful, they’ll eat every few days, sometimes more.
In captivity, most salamanders are fed about 2–3 times a week. Aquatic ones might eat a little more often, especially if food is always floating nearby.
Some species eat only at night. Others will eat any time they’re active. Most prefer small, frequent meals over big ones.
Are Salamanders Dangerous Because They’re Carnivores?
Not at all. They’re predators, yes, but only to things much smaller than a human. They aren’t aggressive toward people, and they’re not strong enough to harm pets either.
Even the largest species, like the Chinese giant salamander, might look intimidating but is no threat to humans. If you handle one roughly, it might squirm or give a warning bite, but that’s about it.
The only time to be careful is if you’re handling one without washing your hands after. Some salamanders carry bacteria like Salmonella, and many produce skin toxins. So always wash up after touching them, but not because they’re hunting you.
Do Pet Salamanders Hunt Like Wild Ones?
Yes, just in smaller spaces.
Most captive salamanders still prefer live prey. Some will take tweezers-fed worms or pre-killed food if you make it move a little. But if you drop in a cricket or worm, you’ll usually see their wild instincts kick in.
They freeze. They focus. And then they strike.
Watching this behavior up close is one of the coolest things about keeping salamanders. You get a window into how they hunt in the wild.
Conclusion
They may not roar or chase down prey like bigger predators, but salamanders are carnivores through and through.
Yes, salamanders are meat-eaters, and they always have been.
From tiny water bugs to juicy earthworms, from beetles in the dirt to shrimp in the stream, their diet is all about protein, movement, and survival.
They don’t touch plants. They don’t eat fruit. And they almost never go for anything that isn’t alive.
Whether they’re hiding under a log or swimming through a quiet stream, they’re always on alert, ready to grab whatever tasty, wiggling snack wanders too close.
Hi, my name is Ezra Mushala, i have been interested animals all my life. I am the main author and editor here at snakeinformer.com.