I'm new here, howdy!

[Bendybones]

Hi, I'm a biologist from Ca with a lifetime of experience keeping all sorts of animals.

I decided to join here because I've been planning to bring home a CB T. shanjing later this week and have been doing a ton of reading in preparation. There's not much info out there, but luckily, this forum has been a great help. I also have access to a research database through work, so I'll start reading studies on them in the morning.

My favorite exotics pet store breeds them, so I am lucky to not have to ship him. My plan is to keep him in a heavily planted bioactive with a decent water dish.

I'll post elsewhere asking for advice on husbandry and care after I do a bit more reading, but feel free to add anything here that you think may be helpful.

 

[Camnp97]

Keep them terrestrial until they are adult size (1.5-2 years, Very Terrestrial). Then put them in a paluidarium with very shallow water.
Feed them earthworms as often as they will eat and dust the food sometimes with repashy calcium plus. Babies should eat every day. These have potential to grow 7-8 inches in length in a year, and they need a TON of food.
Keep them in the low 70's for the first year. Once they mature you need to brumate them from december to mid-feb/march by keeping them relatively dry and in the low 50's. Youll find a ton of misinformation and see that most people keep them very incorrectly. Focus on hygene and don't worry about going "bioactive" it's useless for most salamanders.

 

[Bendybones]

Keep them terrestrial until they are adult size (1.5-2 years, Very Terrestrial). Then put them in a paluidarium with very shallow water.
Feed them earthworms as often as they will eat and dust the food sometimes with repashy calcium plus. Babies should eat every day. These have potential to grow 7-8 inches in length in a year, and they need a TON of food.
Keep them in the low 70's for the first year. Once they mature you need to brumate them from december to mid-feb/march by keeping them relatively dry and in the low 50's. Youll find a ton of misinformation and see that most people keep them very incorrectly. Focus on hygene and don't worry about going "bioactive" it's useless for most salamanders.

Hi, thank you for this. The breeder said not to brumate unless I was actively trying to breed. He said that once I decide to breed, I can put them in the fridge. He also told me that they are terrestrial as adults, except for while breeding (mentioning that it could drown if I put in a water feature that is too deep). Is this your understanding as well?