JDB89
New member
Hello,
I am new to Caudata.org and salamander keeping and am looking for some advice on appropriate care in a laboratory setting (intensive breeders would be comparable). I am just starting some research on Salamandra (nothing bad, just controlled rearing and photographing) and am looking for advice on appropriate care which is suitable for long term housing of solitary individuals which is cost, time and space efficient but also makes a happy healthy salamander.
We have a few post-metamorphs (July) in small tubs and some larger juveniles in large ice-cream sized tubs. Currently they are on a gravel substrate with sphagnum moss (a quarter to half coverage) and a stone/tree bark hide. I have read that gravel is not good to keep them on and I am a little worried that they may be too damp. Paper comes up as a suggestion for cheep easy to clean care, but I am not sure if they could live on this long term. Soil seems best but obviously has a greater cost and a ‘dirt’ issue, but if it is the only appropriate substrate then that can be dealt with.
As for water I was wondering if they are like most amphibians which need treated (de-chlorinated) water? So far the care given has used tap water; however, now that I am taking over their care, and having worked with amphibians before, I am not sure this is appropriate.
Feeding: At the moment they are being fed earth worms every 10 days. Is this an appropriate period of time? And would they benefit from other feeds such as crickets?
Any advice on housing set ups would be greatly appreciated (if the site allows for photos that would be ideal). I know there are care sheets but they largely aim at decorative pet set ups, not intensive rearing which is cost and care aimed without the personal aesthetic desires.
Basically I am looking for the cheapest and smallest way to keep a happy salamander.
Best :happy:
I am new to Caudata.org and salamander keeping and am looking for some advice on appropriate care in a laboratory setting (intensive breeders would be comparable). I am just starting some research on Salamandra (nothing bad, just controlled rearing and photographing) and am looking for advice on appropriate care which is suitable for long term housing of solitary individuals which is cost, time and space efficient but also makes a happy healthy salamander.
We have a few post-metamorphs (July) in small tubs and some larger juveniles in large ice-cream sized tubs. Currently they are on a gravel substrate with sphagnum moss (a quarter to half coverage) and a stone/tree bark hide. I have read that gravel is not good to keep them on and I am a little worried that they may be too damp. Paper comes up as a suggestion for cheep easy to clean care, but I am not sure if they could live on this long term. Soil seems best but obviously has a greater cost and a ‘dirt’ issue, but if it is the only appropriate substrate then that can be dealt with.
As for water I was wondering if they are like most amphibians which need treated (de-chlorinated) water? So far the care given has used tap water; however, now that I am taking over their care, and having worked with amphibians before, I am not sure this is appropriate.
Feeding: At the moment they are being fed earth worms every 10 days. Is this an appropriate period of time? And would they benefit from other feeds such as crickets?
Any advice on housing set ups would be greatly appreciated (if the site allows for photos that would be ideal). I know there are care sheets but they largely aim at decorative pet set ups, not intensive rearing which is cost and care aimed without the personal aesthetic desires.
Basically I am looking for the cheapest and smallest way to keep a happy salamander.
Best :happy: