Do Salamanders Eat Each Other?

Salamanders may look quiet and harmless, but they’re still predators. They eat insects, worms, and other small animals. They’ll even stalk prey with slow, careful movements before striking. But one question often surprises people: do salamanders eat each other?

Yes, some salamanders do eat other salamanders. This doesn’t happen all the time, but it is a natural behavior. Young salamanders are more likely to do it, especially when food is hard to find. But even adult salamanders can become aggressive under stress. In some situations, cannibalism becomes a way to survive.

Young Salamanders Are More Likely to Eat Each Other

Most cannibalism happens during the larval stage. This is the first part of a salamander’s life, right after it hatches from an egg.

At this stage, the baby salamander lives in water and still has gills.

If the pond or pool is crowded and there isn’t enough food, young salamanders may turn on each other.

Some of them even grow larger heads and wider jaws.

These changes help them eat smaller siblings. Scientists call this facultative cannibalism, which means it only happens when needed.

This doesn’t mean all baby salamanders are aggressive. But in tight spaces with little food, it becomes a survival strategy.

The bigger ones grow faster, and the smaller ones often don’t make it. It sounds harsh, but in the wild, this helps control the population.

Can Adult Salamanders Eat Each Other?

Yes, but it happens less often. Most adult salamanders avoid each other in the wild. They like to live alone and stay in their own space.

But when salamanders are kept too close together, they might get aggressive; especially if one is much larger than the other.

This is more likely to happen in captivity. If you put two salamanders in the same tank and don’t give them enough space or food, one might see the other as food.

This doesn’t always happen right away. It might take days or even weeks. But eventually, bites or fights can occur.

Does It Depend on the Species?

Yes. Some salamander species are more likely to eat each other than others. Tiger salamanders, for example, are known for their aggressive behavior when they’re young. They grow quickly and will eat anything they can catch.

Axolotls also bite other axolotls if they aren’t fed enough or kept in crowded spaces.

Other species are calmer. But even peaceful salamanders can become aggressive if they are stressed, hungry, or forced into tight spaces.

In captivity, the risk of cannibalism goes up when salamanders are different sizes, when the tank is too small, or when there aren’t enough hiding places. It also happens more often when food is limited.

Are They Doing It on Purpose?

Not always. Salamanders hunt by reacting to movement. If another salamander moves too fast or twitches in the wrong way, it might trigger a hunting response.

A quick bite can turn into a full attack, even if the salamander wasn’t trying to be aggressive.

Sometimes, salamanders bite off each other’s toes or tails without meaning to. Even small injuries like these can cause trouble.

A bite wound can get infected. A lost tail might grow back, but it takes time and energy. If the injury is too serious, the salamander might not survive.

Can Salamanders Grow Back Missing Parts?

Yes, many salamanders can regrow lost body parts. They can grow back toes, tails, and sometimes even small pieces of internal organs.

This ability helps them recover from injuries, including bites from other salamanders.

Salamanders are the only tetrapods capable of fully regenerating limbs throughout their entire lives.

The process involves specialized cells and complex biological mechanisms that researchers are still studying.

But regeneration takes energy. If a salamander is already weak or sick, it may not grow back fully. And not all wounds heal well.

So while it helps, it’s not a perfect solution. It’s much better to stop the problem before it starts.

How to Prevent Cannibalism in Pet Salamanders

If you keep salamanders as pets, it’s important to set up their space the right way. Some owners keep salamanders together, but this can be risky without the right conditions.

• To prevent trouble, keep salamanders that are the same size. Never place a large one with a small one.
• Make sure the tank is big enough so each salamander has space to move and hide. Add logs, moss, bark, or plants so they can avoid each other.
• Feeding is also important. A hungry salamander is more likely to bite. Feed them regularly and watch how they act around each other. If one salamander chases or nips at another, it’s best to separate them right away.

Some people choose to keep salamanders alone. This is often the safest choice, especially for species that are known to bite.

What Happens in the Wild?

In nature, salamanders live far apart. They don’t often meet others of their kind, so cannibalism is rare.

But it still happens, especially in small ponds or drying wetlands where food is limited.

It’s one way that some salamanders survive. The stronger ones grow faster and live longer. The weaker ones may get eaten.

In the wild, this helps control population numbers and keeps the species balanced.

It might seem cruel, but it’s just part of how life works for these animals.

Do Salamanders Know They’re Eating Their Own Kind?

No. Salamanders don’t form close bonds with each other. They don’t recognize family members or care if another salamander is a sibling.

Their brains are simple, and they hunt by scent, sight, and movement.

Interestingly, research has shown that kinship can affect morphogenesis in cannibalistic salamanders.

Some studies also show that salamander larvae can actually recognize kin through special sensses, making them less likely to eat relatives.

Can the Behavior Be Stopped?

Yes. In many cases, cannibalism goes away when conditions improve. If you give salamanders more space, more food, and better hiding spots, they often stop being aggressive.

Even young salamanders that grow wide jaws as larvae may change over time. As they grow up and move to land, they stop eating other salamanders and switch to a normal diet.

Research has shown that pathogens may also limit the spread of cannibalism in natural populations, suggesting that environmental factors play a complex role in this behavior.

In tanks, improving the setup and removing aggressive individuals can usually fix the problem.

Conclusion

So, do salamanders eat each other? Yes, they do.

Cannibalism is most common in young salamanders when food is scarce or space is tight. Adults can also show this behavior, especially in captivity.

It’s not a sign that something is wrong with the animal. It’s a natural behavior that shows up when conditions are hard.

In the wild, it helps some salamanders survive.

In captivity, it can become a serious issue if not handled properly.

But with the right care, you can prevent it. Giving salamanders enough space, food, and places to hide makes a big difference.

And in some cases, keeping them alone is the best way to keep them safe.