I started this in the General Discussion, 'cause I didn't know any better. I'll try to keep where I belong.
So, for those who haven't seen that thread here is the story--
My husband caught a red eft in front of our house about 2 wks ago. I made a little habitat for it using a plastic storage bin about the size of an overlarge shoe box. It is filled about 1/2 full of dirt & gravel with a small cool whip carton of well water. We placed a broken brick in the water so the eft can get out and a piece of bark provides a hiding place as well and another route into and out of the water. I change the water every couple of days to keep it fresh. The eft, named Princess Noodle by our daughters, has been eating very well on the crickets we've bought (1/8" from the Warrenton Pet Shop & "small" from Petco). I caught a couple of small earthworms (~1" long) and put them in today.

I'm a little concerned about what may happen when the eft decides to become an adult, but even more concerned about the possibility of hibernation. Can it be prevented? Would I want to? How is it triggered? Is there something else the eft needs if it is going to hibernate? Is a diet of crickets and earthworms sufficient? Matt had suggested getting some calcium and vitamin powders. Any specific brands to look for or avoid?

I realize that these may be some very basic questions, but I've always been a mammal pet person. My husband had the herps when he was growing up so we are not complete neophytes as a family, but his herp ownership was many moons ago.

TIA for your patience with the newby.
Claymama

I know my marbled sallie hibernates each winter. We increase the depth of the substrate to about 6 inches, add a little leaf cover, and place the enclosure in the shed outside. As far as feeding, the marbled seems to prefer worms more than crickets so we mix in earthworms, mealies, superworms and waxworms at different intervals.
we can tell when it's ready to hibernate when we no longer see it at night cruising for food. SHe'll burrow deep for a few days, when we notice that we kinda dig her up a bit and you can tell by how it's curled up (usually around some leaf matter) thats she's ready. I hope this helps

(the above was copied from your previous thread)

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan