How to Raise a Salamander

You can successfully raise salamanders in an aquarium.

While it is not a good pet for a child looking for something that can be handled regularly, salamanders' attractive, moist skin and strange snake-like appearance make them desirable pets for some people. With aquatic, terrestrial and semi-aquatic varieties available, chances are there is a type of salamander that will fit your needs for an amphibious pet. By purchasing a simple aquarium and making only minor modifications and habitat provisions, you can create a nice environment for your pet salamander.

Things You'll Need

• Aquarium
• Heat lamp
• Peat moss
• Salamander food
• Water filter
• Aerator (optional)

Instructions

1. Provide the habitat needed for your type of salamander. Aquatic varieties will need to be in full water. Semi-aquatic varieties will need access to land and water. Cover the dry portion of the aquarium with peat moss, loam or similar materials, and create a path that leads from the aquatic portion of the tank to the dry portion, making it easier for your salamander to move between both habitats. Terrestrial varieties need to be set up with peat moss or loam. Also provide several plants or moss, as well as a water dish to keep the moisture level high in the tank. Regardless of the variety of salamander you raise, all aquariums need a lid.

2. Adjust the temperature to meet the needs of your salamander. If you have a tropical variety of salamander, this will likely mean that you need to add lights or an aquarium water heater. If your salamanders are from a region that matches your indoor temperature, no extra heating will be needed.

3. Feed your salamander daily. Terrestrial and semi-aquatic salamanders eat insects. Purchase mealworms for your salamanders, and also supplement their diet with other garden-variety bugs like rolly pollies, worms and beetles. Aquatic salamanders eat small crustaceans such as brine shrimp. Since some aquatic larvae are carnivorous, they should not be introduced into your aquarium or they may eat any salamander eggs and larvae in the tank. For this reason, it is best not to supply your own food for your aquatic salamanders. Instead, purchase food at a pet store. When feeding salamanders, only provide enough food for a single meal. This will vary depending on the size and type salamander you have, so adjust your feedings to meet the needs of your pet.

4. Provide adequate ventilation. This can be achieved by using mesh on part of the lid, or drilling small holes in the top of the tank if it is made of a solid plastic material. Aquatic and semi-aquatic tanks can be ventilated with a small aquarium aerator.

5. Filter the water in your tank. Aquatic and semi-aquatic tanks will need their water filtered. Many aquariums come with small filters attached to the lid. If yours does not, purchase one at a local pet store.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't hold your salamander, as much as you would like to. Doing so will harm it.

• Using lids on your aquarium will prevent your salamander from escaping. Allow for varying temperatures withing your tank. You should have a hotter side and a cooler side, so the salamander can move freely between the two to regulate its own temperature.

• If you use heat lamps or lights, ensure that they are not too close to your salamander and make sure the temperature does not get too hot. If a light bulb is on the inside of your lid, cover it with a mesh screen so that your salamander cannot come into direct contact with it.

References

• Melissa Kaplan's Herp Care Collection: Salamanders and Newts

Resources

• Caudata Culture: Raising Newt and Salamander Eggs