HOUSING TYPES

Terrestrial (Land) Tank 

These are set up to approximate the environment favored by land dwelling salamanders. This sort of terrarium should provide areas of light and dark, damp substrate with leaves and or moss, and shelters made form rocks or small logs. Sufficient humidity must be maintained along with damp retreats. Generally, moss can retain enough water to provide the moisture/humidity needs of terrestrial salamanders. Water can also be provided in a shallow container as a water source and to help maintain the humidity. However, terrestrial species are not strong swimmers so the water must be shallow, and placing rocks or sticks in the water will help the salamander stay out of trouble (and will also prevent any prey insects such as crickets from drowning). A secure cover should be used; a screened cover helps with ventilation, but the top may need to be partly covered to maintain the necessary humidity.

Substrate can be a soil and moss combination, or simply peat and sphagnum moss. A layer of gravel can be used to line the bottom of the tank. Some species will use soil for burrowing, and mixing peat moss into the soil will help prevent packing of the soil and also increase its moisture retention ability. Keep in mind when creating the terrarium environment that the substrate will have to be changed as it becomes soiled, and the more elaborate the set up the more difficult cleaning becomes. For larger species or groups of salamanders will need to have their enclosures cleaned more frequently.

Shelters can be crated with rocks (make little caves), pieces of clay pots, or pieces of wood or bark. Terrestrial salamanders are fairly secretive and will spend a great deal of time under shelter. Therefore, placing shelters along the perimeter of the tank so you will be able to observe them through the glass. For very secretive species, black paper taped to the glass will provide the necessary privacy, and can be removed briefly to view the salamander.

Semi Aquatic

This type of set up combines terrestrial and aquatic elements. A land area where the newt can bask with a transition to an aquatic area which can be quite deep is provided. The land area can be set up simply by piling gravel and moss above the water level, but it is easier in the long term to separate the land and water areas with a piece of plastic or plexiglass placed across the aquarium and sealed with aquarium grade silicone sealant.

It is important to make sure there is an easy transition from the water to land to allow the newt to crawl out. A dense piece of wood (e.g. ironwood, coralwood, monkeywood) can be placed part in the water and partly on land to provide the transition, and this also provides a nice basking spot. Alternately, gravel can be sloped in the aquatic side to provide a ramp out of the water. In the aquatic portion, the gravel should be large enough not to be swallowed, and should also be rounded and smooth to prevent skin damage.

A secure cover should be provided as some salamanders and newts can climb surprisingly well.

Aquatic

Aquariums are used for aquatic species (such as the axolotl), and provide a bit of a challenge due to the amount of waste salamanders produce, and their sensitivity to changes in their environment. Salamanders excrete a good deal of ammonia in their waste, and in the wild this waste is quickly diluted and carried away from the salamander's skin. In an aquarium the salamander is essentially trapped with its waste, and the difficulty comes in keeping the water clean enough to keep the salamander healthy.

The first step is to keep the salamander in the largest tank possible to provide dilution. A good power filter should be used with larger aquatic species - most aquatic salamanders can tolerate fairly strong currents but but make sure the current is not too strong. Gravel can be used, but a tank with a bare bottom is easier to maintain and safer. Gravel that is too small may be ingested, and with large gravel food can disappear between the stones.

In addition to filtration, frequent (partial) water changes are the best way to maintain water quality.

SPECIES FOR EACH TYPE OF HOUSING

Terrestrial

• Arboreal Salamanders
• Banded Newts
• Fire Salamander
• Green Salamander
• Marbled Salamander
• Monterey Salamander (needs shallow water pan)
• Red-backed Salamander
• Slender Salamander
• Spotted Salamander
• Tiger Salamander

Semi Aquatic

• Alpine Newts
• California Newt
• Crested Newt
• Eastern Newt
• Emperor or Crocodile Newt (shallow water)
• Japanese Fire Bellied Salamander (only requires small land area or float)
• Mandarin Salamander
• Marbled Newt
• Northern Red Salamander
• Oregon Newts
• Spanish Ribbed Newt (shallow water)

Aquatic

• Amphiuma species
• Axolotl
• Hellbender
• Lesser Siren (shallow)
• Mudpuppies