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Miscellaneous FAQ

But the pet shop told me ___________________!!??

Most pet store employees, even those that understand fish and reptiles, do not know how to care for a newt or salamander. Remember, pet stores primarily want to sell you stuff. You will need other resources to find out what you need to know.

I don’t want my animal anymore; can I just let it free outside?

No. First, your animal is probably accustomed to captivity and cannot survive in the wild. It will either die of starvation or get eaten by something rather quickly. Second, releasing a captive animal is bad for the environment. It could spread diseases that may kill local amphibians. Third, it is illegal. Most states have laws against abandoning pets and/or against releasing any animals previously kept captive.

It may be best if you really feel you can’t deal with your animal any longer to find it a new owner that does want it.  Try taking it to a pet shop or place an ad at the Caudata.org Forum.

Where can I obtain different species of newts or salamanders?

Ask the managers at local shops if they are able to special order other kinds of newts or sals. Be sure to research those other species before you order them to make sure they are what you want. Keep in mind that all newts and most salamanders at pet shops are taken from the wild.

Make personal contact with people who keep a variety of newts or sals. They may know who is breeding certain types. Keep in mind that most "different" species are alive as captives because they are being captive bred, which is a labor-intensive process. Thus, CB (captive bred) newts and salamanders may be relatively expensive, and the breeder will need to know that you are a responsible keeper before they will sell to you. One place to find breeders in the US is the United States Caudate Registry. There are also other caudate registries and societies worldwide.

Some mail order companies sell newts and salamanders – Gherp.com, LLLreptiles.com, Carolina Biological, Wards, etc. There are often ads in the amphibian classifieds at kingsnake.com and the Caudata.org Forum.

If you want to collect a native species near you, check a field guide. Be sure to find out whether they are legal to collect. Some states in the US forbid collecting any wild animals, including amphibians. Before you collect, contact your local Fish and Game department to find out about your state laws. Do not buy animals that you suspect might have been illegally collected.

I found a salamander/newt outside. Should I keep it?

Maybe, but probably not. First, you need to identify the species and verify that it is legal to keep that particular species in your state/country. Then you need to make sure you can provide the right foods, habitat, and temperature to keep it alive. Remember that newts and salamanders live a LONG time, so you are taking on a very long-term commitment.

My newt or salamander escaped. What should I do?

Sooner or later, this happens to almost everyone that keeps newts and salamanders. Look in every dark place starting in the room it escaped in. Check your vents too. If you don’t find it, place pieces of foil all over the house with water so it can stay wet. You may be able to hear the animal crawl onto the foil. If it’s been over a day, an aquatic animal is probably dead. Make the tank lid more secure to prevent the escape of any remaining animals. See Preventing Escape.

A pet store near me doesn’t take good care of their newts/salamanders. What should I do?

First, remember that buying the animals doesn’t help. When you buy the animals you are giving the store money to buy MORE animals and sending the message that this item sells well. You are technically sentencing MORE animals to the torturous cruelty of the store. Start instead by writing a letter to the store’s manager. DO NOT BE OVERLY ACCUSING. If you have a harsh tone they will just ignore it. Instead, tell them nicely that things are being done wrong and provide them with correct information; offer help if they need it. Explain that if things are not improved then you will have to seek out authorities to aid in the correction of the problem.

If they do not correct the problem after this, contact your local animal control, animal shelter, humane society, etc. To get things done faster, get some other people you know who feel the same way to also write. Send all letters separately. Explain WHAT is wrong there and HOW it should be done and HOW they were not willing to correct it.

If that does not work, spread the word, get more people to write and complain. Write to your local newspaper and tell them. They might publish an editorial. The more people that know the less likely the store will continue its practices and will find themselves forced to change.

Where can I find out about a question that is not answered here?

 

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