How to Care for Spotted Salamanders
Spotted salamanders are one of the largest members of the salamander family and can grow up to 8 inches in length. They are solitary animals that can live for more than 20 years, and because of their placid nature they make fairly low-maintenance pets. Spotted salamanders don't require too much time and attention, but if you have just bought one as a new pet there are a few things you should know about how to care for them.
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Things You'll Need
- 20-gallon plastic or glass tank with lid
- Humidity gauge
- Spray bottle
- Water
- Loosely packed soil
- Artificial plants, logs and rocks
- Shallow bowl
- Earthworms, night crawlers and insects
- Long plastic tweezers
- Ventilated shoe box
- Soapy water
Instructions
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Buy a suitable size tank. A 20-gallon tank is recommended if you have two salamanders and a 40-gallon tank if you have four. Your tank needs to have secure sides and a top so that the animal cannot escape.
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Add a humidity gauge to the tank. For spotted salamanders, keep the humidity at or above 70 percent by adding water as necessary. This can be done by using a spray bottle and spraying water into the tank. Place the lid back on the tank to create a humid environment.
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Keep the salamander tank at a temperature between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Add loosely packed soil, artificial plants, logs and rocks to the tank to give your salamander places to crawl and hide. Plastic logs are recommended over natural ones as they will not rot and mold.
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Place a shallow bowl of fresh water in one side of your tank so your salamander can bathe. Change the water every couple of days.
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Feed your salamander every other day. Spotted salamanders do not need to eat every day so feed them every second or third day. Salamanders are carnivorous so feed them a diet of earthworms, night crawlers and insects. Use long plastic tweezers to place the food directly in the tank.
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Clean the tank every month. To do this, carefully remove the salamanders from the tank and place them in ventilated shoe boxes. Wash the tank with warm soapy water and then rinse it thoroughly. Let it air dry before replacing the salamanders and other items.
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Handle spotted salamanders only when absolutely necessary as their skin quickly absorbs impurities. Lotions and perfumes used by humans can kill salamanders, so if you must touch them, such as when cleaning the tank, wash your hands thoroughly beforehand.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
