Question: Red backed Salamander

My son and I were looking for snails and worms in our backyard and I found a very dried up red backed salamander. I picked him up with a stick and he moved a little bit I brought him inside and we’ve had him for about three days. His humidity is at 85 I’m trying to bring it down currently because I read that was too high I have pill bugs or roly-poly‘s are potato bugs whatever they’re called I have a bunch of small snails I have a bunch of small ones I have moss and grass and leaf litter some twigs and dirt from where we found it. it seems to be doing well he looks plump or she. It’s name is Wormy because my son thought it was a worm. It is very active at night and is in a 10 gallon tote with air holes all over the lid. Is there anything else I should do for it?


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My suggestion is to get it hydrated and active again, and then release it where it was found, preferably where there is cover such as logs and bark.
Red backs are challenging captives, even for experienced salamander keepers. For a beginner, it would very likely die on you.
There are other species that I think you would find much easier and more satisfying to keep.

I was told not to release him back for many reasons. One being his food source being from the petstore


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Well, you're right about that.
They are secretive, but I kept one successfully for a while but I did let it back out in my yard after a while . Honestly if you don't have any other salamanders in your house I wouldn't worry about it.