When you think of animals that eat termites, salamanders probably aren’t the first ones that come to mind. But they should be. These sneaky little amphibians are built to hunt anything that crawls, and termites definitely fit the bill.
Yes, salamanders do eat termites. If termites are around and the salamander is the right size, it’ll eat them without hesitation. Termites are soft-bodied, easy to catch, and full of protein, making them a great snack for many salamander species.
Why Termites Make Good Prey
Termites don’t move fast, don’t bite back, and don’t have any hard shells. To a salamander, that’s basically perfect.
Salamanders are ambush predators. They sit still, watch, and wait. When something small scurries past, they strike. And since termites live in colonies and move in big groups, they’re an easy target if a salamander stumbles on them.
They’re also packed with nutrients. Termites are high in protein and moisture, and they’re easier to digest than prey with harder exoskeletons like beetles.
So from a salamander’s point of view, termites are an excellent catch.
Salamanders in the Wild Eat What’s Around
Most salamanders don’t specialize in any one food. Instead, they eat whatever’s nearby and small enough to swallow. That means their diet changes based on the season, habitat, and weather.
In forests or woodlands (especially in places with lots of fallen logs or leaf litter) termites are common. And that’s where you’ll also find salamanders like:
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Red-backed salamanders
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Slimy salamanders
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Spotted salamanders
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Marbled salamanders
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Eastern newts (in their terrestrial “eft” stage)
These species regularly run into termite trails or exposed colonies. And when they do, they eat.
Even cave salamanders and some lungless salamanders living in rotting wood have been seen feeding on termites crawling nearby. It’s not a constant diet, but when termites show up, they’re not ignored.
Do Pet Salamanders Eat Termites?
Yes, many pet salamanders will gladly eat termites, if you offer the right kind.
It all comes down to three things:
1. Size of the termite
Termites come in different castes, workers, soldiers, and queens. Soldiers have big jaws that might be too tough for smaller salamanders. But worker termites? Perfect size, soft, and easy to eat.
2. Freshness
Salamanders rely on movement. They rarely eat dead insects. So live termites are much more likely to get eaten.
3. Source of the termites
This one’s important. Wild-caught termites may carry pesticides or parasites, especially if they come from near treated wood or buildings.
Always be cautious. Feeder termites raised in clean conditions are much safer.
Some pet owners collect termites from rotting logs in pesticide-free areas and feed them as a treat. Others raise them in small cultures for their amphibians.
Either way, salamanders don’t usually turn them down.
How to Feed Termites to Salamanders
If you want to try feeding termites, here’s how to do it safely:
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Use soft-bodied workers, not soldiers or winged swarmers.
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Only offer live termites. They should be moving around, wiggling is key.
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Drop them near the salamander or offer with feeding tongs.
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Keep it clean. Don’t dump wood chips or nest material into the tank. Just the bugs.
And remember, termite feeding should be a supplement, not the whole diet. Variety is still important. Rotate with other foods like:
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Crickets
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Small roaches
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Waxworms (occasionally)
This keeps your salamander healthy and curious about new foods.
Can All Salamanders Eat Them?
Most small to medium-sized salamanders can eat termites just fine, especially those that live on land. Aquatic species might ignore them unless they fall into the water and wiggle just right.
Some salamanders that are known to eat termites include:
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Eastern newts (on land)
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Fire salamanders
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Small streamside or woodland species
Larger salamanders like tiger salamanders or axolotls may not find termites very satisfying, simply because they’re too small to bother with. They prefer larger prey like worms or insect larvae.
But for younger salamanders, or smaller species, termites are a great fit.
When researchers examined the diets of red-backed salamanders and slimy salamanders in woodland habitats, they found termite parts in many samples.
It was also found that termites become less important as salamanders age, while other prey types increase.
Do Termites Ever Fight Back?
Not really.
Worker termites don’t have jaws strong enough to hurt anything. Even soldier termites, with their large mandibles, are mostly built to fight ants, not amphibians.
That said, soldiers are tougher and might be harder for small salamanders to chew. If your salamander seems to spit them out or ignore them, try offering only soft-bodied workers.
Swarming termites (the ones with wings) can also be offered, but only if they’re freshly caught and still fluttering around. Once they dry out or stop moving, most salamanders lose interest.
What About Termite Poisons?
This is where you need to be careful.
Termites that have been exposed to chemical treatments, especially around buildings or pressure-treated wood, are not safe to feed to salamanders.
Pesticides can build up in a termite’s body and pass directly into the salamander. Since amphibians absorb chemicals through their skin and digestive system, even small amounts can cause big problems.
If you want to offer termites, collect them from wild, untreated logs in remote or pesticide-free areas, or raise your own colony from a clean source.
Can You Culture Termites at Home?
It’s not super common, but yes, it’s possible.
Some keepers who raise reptiles or amphibians also raise termites in controlled containers. You’ll need:
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A plastic tub with a tight lid and small air holes
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Pieces of damp, untreated cardboard or decaying wood
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A starter colony of termites from a safe, pesticide-free area
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Warm, dark conditions (like a cupboard)
Termites will eat the cardboard and reproduce if conditions are right. It’s slow, but once the colony is established, you’ll have a steady supply of small, soft-bodied termites.
It’s a great option for feeding salamander larvae or juveniles that need tiny prey items.
Are Termites Better Than Ants?
In many ways, yes.
Salamanders sometimes eat ants, but ants can bite, sting, and are often packed with formic acid, which can irritate or harm amphibians. Termites don’t have these defenses. They’re safer, softer, and generally easier to digest.
Also, termites live in moist, dark places, exactly where salamanders like to hide. So the two often cross paths in the wild. Salamanders take advantage of that.
That’s why, if you’re choosing between ants and termites as a snack for your pet, termites are usually the better choice.
Conclusion
So, do salamanders eat termites?
Yes, they definitely do. In the wild, they stumble on them in damp logs, soil, and leaf litter. In captivity, they’ll take them as long as they’re the right size and still moving.
Termites are soft, easy to catch, and full of protein. For small salamanders or young ones, they’re actually an ideal food. Just make sure you’re offering safe, pesticide-free termites, and use them as part of a varied diet, not the whole thing.
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.