Do Salamanders Eat Moths?

Salamanders are secretive amphibians that hunt for small invertebrates in their natural environments. Their diet is shaped by the species, their size, and whether they live in water or on land. Many people who observe salamanders at night or keep them as pets wonder: do salamanders eat moths?

Yes, many salamanders eat moths, especially in the wild. Moths are active at night, making them easy targets for nocturnal salamander species looking for soft, protein-rich prey.

What Are Moths?

Moths are flying insects that belong to the same order as butterflies, known as Lepidoptera. While butterflies are mostly active during the day, moths are typically nocturnal.

This makes them more likely to cross paths with salamanders, which are also active at night.

Most moths share a few common traits:

• Wings covered with delicate scales
• Activity during evening or nighttime hours
• Attraction to artificial light
• Nectar feeding, or in some cases, no feeding at all as adults
• Eggs that hatch into caterpillars

Because they move around during the night and often rest on low vegetation or walls, moths are easy for salamanders to find and capture.

Do Wild Salamanders Eat Moths?

Yes, wild salamanders eat moths, especially smaller ones they can catch and swallow. Many salamanders hunt at night when moths are flying, feeding, or resting.

While moths are not a constant part of every salamander’s diet, they are taken when available.

Salamanders use a combination of techniques to catch flying insects like moths:

• Spotting moths resting on nearby plants or attracted to lights
• Waiting quietly near feeding areas for moths to land
• Lunging forward with a quick strike or flicking out a sticky tongue

If a moth comes close enough, a salamander is likely to snap at it, especially if it’s small and moving slowly.

Which Salamanders Eat Moths?

Many salamander species will eat moths if they are active at night and have access to flying insects. Some of the more likely moth-eaters include:

• Spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum): These large, terrestrial salamanders come out during rainy nights and feed on a variety of soft insects.
• Eastern newts (Notophthalmus viridescens): These opportunistic feeders may catch moths both on land and near water.
• Red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus): Small woodland salamanders that often feed on insects resting on the forest floor.
• Tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum): These robust hunters eat a wide range of prey, including moths and caterpillars.

In general, any terrestrial salamander that is active at night has the potential to eat moths when the opportunity arises.

How Do Salamanders Catch Moths?

Moths are not the easiest prey to catch, but salamanders are patient hunters.

They use their natural camouflage to remain hidden, often staying motionless until something comes within reach. Their approach includes:

• Ambush hunting: Waiting under leaf litter or next to rocks until a moth lands nearby
• Quick strikes: Lunging forward to grab a moth resting on a surface
• Tongue capture: Flicking out a sticky tongue to catch moths that are close
• Short bursts of motion: Chasing down prey over a short distance if needed

Because salamanders have excellent vision in low light, they can spot moving moths even in dim conditions.

Are Moths a Main Food Source?

Moths are not usually a staple food for salamanders. Instead, they are part of a broader diet made up mostly of other invertebrates.

Salamanders eat moths more often during warm seasons, especially late spring and summer when insects are more active.

More common food items include:

• Earthworms
• Beetles
• Crickets
• Ants
• Slugs
• Small aquatic larvae

Moths serve as an occasional supplement rather than a consistent food source, and their importance varies depending on habitat and prey availability.

Can Pet Salamanders Eat Moths?

Yes, pet salamanders can eat moths in some cases, but there are a few things to consider first. Not all moths are safe, especially those caught in or near homes, gardens, or buildings.

For safe feeding, keep in mind the following:

• Avoid wild moths: These may carry pesticides, pollution, or parasites
• Avoid indoor moths: House moths or pantry moths may contain harmful residues
• Use captive-bred moths: These are safer and can be offered as treats
• Only feed small moths: Large or tough-bodied moths may be hard to digest

Caterpillars from captive-bred sources may also be fed, but only if they are known to be safe and not covered in hairs or toxins.

Are Moths Nutritious for Salamanders?

Moths contain nutrients that support salamander health. They provide:

• Protein for muscle development and repair
• Fat to supply energy
• Amino acids required for tissue growth
• Vitamins and minerals, depending on the moth species

However, moths do not provide a full range of nutrients. They are low in calcium and may not meet all the needs of growing or breeding salamanders.

This is why they should be offered occasionally, not as a main diet item.

How to Feed Moths Safely

Feeding moths to salamanders requires a few simple steps:

1. Buy feeder moths or larvae from pet supply shops or insect breeders
2. Avoid wild-caught insects, even if they appear healthy
3. Dust with calcium powder before feeding, especially for younger salamanders
4. Use tongs or a feeding dish to prevent the moth from escaping in the enclosure
5. Offer small portions, and remove any uneaten moths within 24 hours

This keeps feeding sessions clean and reduces the chance of introducing harmful substances into your salamander’s habitat.

How Often Can You Feed Moths?

Moths should only be offered as occasional enrichment. Feeding them too often can lead to nutritional imbalances or cause salamanders to lose interest in other food items.

General guidelines:

• Juveniles: One or two small moths once every 1 to 2 weeks
• Adults: A few moths once every week or two, depending on size and activity level
• Large salamanders: Up to 3 or 4 moths occasionally, as long as they are part of a varied diet

It’s best to rotate moths with other foods to keep nutrition balanced and feeding behavior natural.

Alternatives to Moths

If moths are hard to find or not preferred, other feeder insects can take their place.

These include:

• Crickets: Readily available and easy to gut-load with healthy food
• Mealworms and waxworms: Good for occasional use, though high in fat
• Fruit flies: Ideal for small or juvenile salamanders
• Black soldier fly larvae: Nutritious and safe, often used in balanced diets
• Earthworms: A favorite staple for many salamanders

These options are more consistent and easier to manage, especially in indoor enclosures.

Are Moths Safe for All Salamanders?

Most salamanders can safely eat moths if they are the right size and sourced correctly. However, there are a few cases where caution is needed:

• Very small salamanders may struggle to swallow even small moths
• Aquatic species like axolotls may not recognize flying insects as food
• Sick or weak salamanders might have trouble digesting new prey types

When trying new foods like moths, always watch the salamander carefully to see how they respond.

Conclusion

Do salamanders eat moths? Yes, they do. Moths are a natural part of the diet for many wild salamanders, especially those that are active at night.

While not a staple, moths offer variety and stimulation when they appear in the wild or are used as treats in captivity.

For pet salamanders, moths can be offered on occasion if they come from safe, clean sources. Avoid wild-caught moths to reduce the risk of pesticides, parasites, or pollutants.

Dusting with calcium and feeding moths in small amounts helps support balanced nutrition.

Moths fit best as an occasional food item, alongside more reliable staples like worms, crickets, and larvae.

This keeps your salamander’s diet diverse, natural, and supportive of long-term health.