Do Salamanders Eat Nightcrawlers?

If you’ve ever watched a salamander hunt, you know they don’t waste time. A quick flick of the tongue, a snap of the jaws, and the meal is gone. But when it comes to bigger worms (like nightcrawlers) you might be wondering: are they too big?

Yes, salamanders do eat nightcrawlers. These large earthworms are soft, protein-packed, and easy to catch, which makes them a great food source for many kinds of salamanders, both in the wild and in captivity.

Some salamanders gobble them up whole. Others may only go for smaller pieces. But across the board, nightcrawlers are one of the most reliable foods you can offer.

What Makes Nightcrawlers a Good Food Source?

Nightcrawlers are one of the most common worms sold in bait shops. They’re big, slow-moving, and full of moisture. To a hungry salamander, that’s pretty appealing.

Salamanders are carnivores that rely on movement to find prey. Nightcrawlers don’t move fast, but they do wiggle just enough to catch attention. Their soft bodies are easy to swallow, and unlike some insects, they don’t bite or fight back.

They also digest easily, especially when compared to tougher prey like beetles or roaches. That’s why many salamander owners use them as a staple food. Just make sure the worm is the right size.

Can All Salamanders Eat Them?

Not all salamanders can handle a full-sized nightcrawler. Some are too small. But most larger species (especially the kinds commonly kept as pets) do eat them.

For example:

• Tiger salamanders are known for their big appetites. They’ll eat whole nightcrawlers without a problem.
• Axolotls, which are fully aquatic, often eat chopped-up nightcrawlers as a main part of their diet.
• Fire salamanders, marbled salamanders, and slimy salamanders also tend to eat worms, including nightcrawlers.

Tiny salamanders or larvae may struggle, though. If a worm is longer than the salamander’s head, it should be cut into smaller pieces.

A piece that’s too big could stress them out, or worse, cause choking or impaction.

That’s especially true for species like:

• Red-backed salamanders
• Two-lined salamanders
• Young newts or aquatic larvae

So the short answer is: yes, most salamanders can eat nightcrawler, if the size is right.

Feeding Nightcrawlers to Pet Salamanders

If you keep a salamander at home, chances are good you’ve seen nightcrawlers at a bait shop or pet store. They’re usually labeled as Canadian nightcrawlers, dew worms, or earthworms.

These are safe to use, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Cut Them Up If Needed

Full-grown nightcrawlers can be long (sometimes over 8 inches). That’s way too big for most salamanders. Even large species may have trouble handling them whole.

Cutting them into smaller sections makes it easier and safer.

Some owners use feeding tongs to hold a wiggling piece in front of the salamander. The movement triggers a quick strike. Others just leave the worm piece near their salamander and wait.

Always Rinse First

Even store-bought worms can come with a bit of dirt, slime, or bedding stuck to them. It’s a good habit to rinse them under cool water before feeding.

This gets rid of anything the salamander shouldn’t eat, especially if you’re using bait worms rather than feeders from a pet shop.

Avoid Garden Worms

It’s tempting to dig up worms from your backyard, but unless you know for sure the soil is free of pesticides and fertilizers, don’t risk it.

Chemicals and heavy metals can build up in worms and poison your salamander.

Are Nightcrawlers Enough On Their Own?

Nightcrawlers are a great food, but no single food should be the only thing your salamander eats. In the wild, salamanders eat whatever they can catch.

That might include:

• Insects and larvae
• Spiders
• Small crustaceans
• Other worms and slugs
• Tiny amphibians, in some cases

Feeding only nightcrawlers for weeks at a time can cause gaps in nutrition. Even though worms are high in protein, they don’t provide everything a salamander needs.

A varied diet helps keep your salamander healthy and interested in food.

Other good choices to rotate in include:

• Crickets (gut-loaded first)
• Small roaches
• Waxworms (only occasionally,they’re fatty)
• Earthworms (other than nightcrawlers)
• Bloodworms or blackworms (especially for aquatic species)

Mixing it up every now and then keeps things natural.

How Often Should You Feed Them?

Feeding depends on the size and age of the salamander. Bigger salamanders need more food, but not every day.

Here’s a rough guide:

• Juveniles: Feed daily or every other day. Use smaller worm pieces they can easily handle.
• Adults: Feed 2–3 times a week. One or two medium-sized pieces of nightcrawler are usually enough.

You can adjust based on their appetite. If your salamander starts ignoring food or looks pudgy, it’s probably time to cut back a bit. On the other hand, if they lunge at everything you offer, you might need to feed a little more.

What If Your Salamander Won’t Eat Nightcrawlers?

Some salamanders are picky. If they’ve been eating only one type of food for a long time, they might not recognize a new one as something edible.

Try offering nightcrawler pieces that are still wiggling. Use tongs and move them slowly. If the salamander sees movement, it may strike automatically.

You can also leave a piece in the enclosure overnight. Some salamanders are shy and prefer to eat when it’s quiet and dark. Just make sure to remove any uneaten food the next morning so it doesn’t rot or attract pests.

If they still won’t eat nightcrawlers after a few tries, go back to something they like, then try again in a week. Most salamanders come around eventually.

Wild Salamanders and Nightcrawlers

In the wild, salamanders don’t usually go looking for nightcrawlers,but they’ll eat one if they find it.

After a good rain, nightcrawlers sometimes crawl across forest floors, sidewalks, or stream banks. If a salamander happens to be nearby, it might take the opportunity.

But most of the time, wild salamanders eat smaller, faster things like springtails, beetles, spiders, or aquatic larvae.

So while nightcrawlers aren’t a big part of a wild salamander’s natural diet, they’re still fair game when the chance comes up.

Are There Any Risks?

Nightcrawlers are pretty safe overall, but there are a few small risks to watch for.

• Choking: If the worm is too long or thick, it can get stuck in the salamander’s mouth. Always cut large worms into smaller pieces.
• Impaction: Rare, but possible if the salamander swallows too much at once, or if the worm has a lot of grit stuck to it. Rinsing helps prevent this.
• Refusal: Some salamanders just don’t like them. Or they might ignore them if they’ve been fed something more exciting recently, like waxworms.

As long as you size them properly and keep things clean, nightcrawlers are one of the safest foods you can offer.

Conclusion

So, do salamanders eat nightcrawlers? Absolutely. Most salamanders love them, especially the larger kinds kept as pets. Nightcrawlers are soft, nutritious, and easy to catch, making them a favorite feeder option.

Whether you’ve got a fat tiger salamander, a curious axolotl, or a shy little woodland species, nightcrawlers can be a great addition to the menu, as long as you serve them the right way.