My 1st salamander

[mark]

I am a beginner herpoculturist who is creating a larger vivarium for my crested gecko. This will leave a 20-gallon cage empty. I have decided that if my parents allow it, I will keep a large terestrial salamander inside it (I'm really bad with water filters). So far i am concidering the following species:
Eastern Tiger salamander (A. Tigrum)
Marbled salamander (A. Opacum)
Fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra)
Any info about these species as well as caging ideas, other beginner species and places to but them from would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[kaysie]

These are pretty good beginner species. I'm especially fond of Ambystomids. Caresheets and articles can be found at www.caudata.org/cc

 

[sharon]

I've owned both the tiger and the marbled and I prefer the tiger over the marbled. She just has more personality.

Sharon

 

[mark]

Yeah, I'm also considering some other Ambystomids, assuming I can find specemines anywhere legally.

 

[mark]

I live in New York Mike.

 

[mark]

What? What if it's CB?

 

[jennifer]

Mark, there is (almost) no such thing as a CB Ambystoma, other than axolotls. Opacum have been bred in captivity, but only VERY rarely. Tigers have not (unless you count ponds as CB). If you want CB, you need to look for fire sal juveniles.

 

[mark]

Ok then, Fire salamander it is! Thanks for helping everyone! Now that all ambystomids are ruled out, and I want a terrestrial species, the Fire salamander is my choice.