Do Salamanders Eat Rolly Pollies?

If you’ve ever lifted a damp log or poked around in soft leaf litter, you’ve probably seen tiny gray creatures curl into a ball. But if you’re keeping a salamander or observing one in the wild, you might wonder, do salamanders eat rolly pollies?

Some salamanders will eat rolly pollies if they’re small enough to swallow. These bugs aren’t a major part of a salamander’s diet, but they’re sometimes eaten when the chance comes up.

Whether a salamander eats one or not depends on its size, its species, and what else is around.

What Exactly Are Rolly Pollies?

Rolly pollies may look like bugs, but they’re not insects. They’re crustaceans, more closely related to shrimp and crabs.

They breathe through small gill-like structures and need moisture to survive.

That’s why they’re usually found in damp places, under rocks, logs, mulch, or fallen leaves.

They don’t hunt or chase anything. Instead, they feed on dead plants, fungi, and other decaying material.

That makes them an important part of the ecosystem. They help break things down and return nutrients to the soil.

And because they live in the same damp, shady areas that salamanders love, they often end up sharing space.

Do Salamanders See Them as Food?

Sometimes, yes. Salamanders are hunters. They use their eyes, their nose, and their quick tongues to find moving prey.

If a rolly polly comes near a salamander, the salamander might strike. If the bug fits in its mouth and doesn’t put up much of a fight, it might get eaten.

But rolly pollies are strange prey. They move slowly. They freeze or curl up when touched. And they have hard shells.

That means some salamanders might ignore them over in favor of softer, wrigglier things like worms or larvae. Others might take a bite, chew for a second, and spit it out.

So while some salamanders do eat them, not all of them will.

Are Rolly Pollies Safe to Eat?

In small amounts, yes. Rolly pollies are not poisonous. They won’t sting or bite a salamander. But they do have a tough exoskeleton, which isn’t easy to digest. Some salamanders may give up after one bite.

There’s another concern too. Wild rolly pollies can pick up harmful chemicals from the environment.

If they’ve been crawling around in pesticides, fertilizers, or polluted soil, they may carry those chemicals inside their bodies.

Eating a bug like that can make a salamander sick.

That’s why it’s risky to collect them from your yard or garden.

If you’re going to use them as food, make sure they come from a clean, chemical-free place, or better yet, from a captive-bred colony you know is safe.

Which Salamanders Are Most Likely to Eat Them?

Larger salamanders that live on land are more likely to eat rolly pollies. These include species like tiger salamanders, spotted salamanders, fire salamanders, or marbled salamanders.

These species are strong enough to break through the shell, and they’re more used to finding slow-moving bugs on the ground.

Smaller salamanders may have trouble swallowing them. And aquatic salamanders usually won’t eat them at all unless one falls into the water by accident.

But even among the bigger species, not every individual will choose to eat them. Some salamanders will try them once and never again.

What Do Salamanders Prefer?

Salamanders prefer soft-bodied prey. Worms, larvae, crickets, and small insects are their favorite foods. These creatures are easier to grab, easier to swallow, and provide more energy.

Rolly pollies are more like an occasional snack. In the wild, when food is limited, salamanders will eat what they can catch. That might include slugs, snails, beetles, and yes, sometimes pill bugs.

A few pill bugs now and then are fine, but they shouldn’t be the main part of the diet.

Can You Feed Them to Pet Salamanders?

You can, but it’s best to be cautious. Make sure the rolly pollies are small enough to swallow. Avoid feeding any that come from areas with pesticides or fertilizers. If possible, use captive-raised isopods from a clean, healthy colony.

Start with just one or two and see how your salamander reacts. If it spits them out or loses interest, that’s a sign it would rather eat something else.

Most pet salamanders prefer earthworms, crickets, or mealworms.

Studies on digestive enzymes in salamanders show that these foods offer more nutrition and are easier for them to break down.

You can still offer a pill bug as a treat, but don’t rely on them as the main food source.

What About Rolly Pollies Living in the Tank?

In bioactive enclosures, some people keep rolly pollies in the tank on purpose, not as food, but as part of the cleanup crew.

These land-dwelling isopods help break down waste, uneaten food, and shed skin. They help keep the tank cleaner and cut down on odors.

Many salamanders ignore them completely. But every now and then, one might get eaten. That’s usually fine, as long as the isopods are healthy and the population stays strong.

If you’re keeping a bioactive tank, choose isopod species that can handle moisture. Dwarf isopods and tropical kinds thrive in moist environments.

Just make sure they’re not the only thing your salamander has to eat.

Conclusion

So, do salamanders eat rolly pollies? Yes, they do, at least sometimes. If a pill bug is small, slow, and easy to catch, a hungry salamander may eat it.

But rolly pollies aren’t a favorite food, and they’re not very easy to digest. Some salamanders won’t bother with them at all.

If you’re caring for a salamander, you can offer a few pill bugs now and then as a treat. Just make sure they’re clean, chemical-free, and small enough to swallow.

Don’t make them the main part of the diet.