New here AND to Salamanders

[Bryman]

Hello all, id like to start out by saying that.

NOW down to business LOL. im 37 and have NEVER owned a reptile/lizard of any kind. my wife is a veterinary technician so we do have a large amount of mammal knowledge however that helps us VERY little when it comes to our newest house mate.

below is a pic of our little friend Wellington. my wife named him that since she found him in out window well. our basement is 5 feet underground so we have those deel windows that we can get into and crawl out up the ladder. anyway she was in the window pulling the weeds that often grow in there and she screams AHAHAHAH a fregging lizard!!! i go look and sure enough is a small gecko at least thats what i thought. i looked online and turns out he is a tiger salamander? any way he is about 5 inches long black with green splotches. i know he cant get out of this area at all, so i figute he has been in there since our house was built 2 years ago. he is really cool!! i havent touched him since i kinda want him to stay wild, yet i know he does not get a lot of food due to the fact that we have our house sprayed outside for spiders/bugs etc (its farm land and bugs are everywhere) anyway we put a little rock type bowl in there for water and another for food...mealworms are so far what ive read to give him. my questions are

1. what else can he eat?
2. what type of care does he need?
3. the winter is coming wil he die in the snow here in Colorado? our windows are Plexiglas covered so our girls dont fall in.

he has a pretty deep little hole he lives in, so deep i cant see him in it

any info will help guys

thanks a lot

 

[Derek]

I am new to the forums myself and the only thing I can tell you is that it is an amphibian...not a reptile. And they eat crickets and roaches and even pinky mice if they need fattened up.....

 

[Bryman]

ok so i read that they tend to use water bowls to defecate in? so if i do away with the bowl, how does he drink water?

 

[Jan]

Unlike mammals and some other animals, tiger salamanders do not drink water. They recieve moisture from their prey and environment.

A water dish is not needed, but moist substrate is. It is not that tigers will seek water bowls to defecate in....they will poop anywhere that is convenient. It is just that feces is more readily observed in a water dish.

 

[Bryman]

well the dirt in the window well is what he is digging in.........its a pretty solid looking hole as you can see in the pic, he seems to like it there and is safe, do you all suppose keeping him in there is ok home for him?

 

[Manion]

I wouldn't recommend meal-worms for tiger salamanders. They do not provide them with enough nutritional value and their jaws have the potential to injure the salamander. Earthworms would probably be a better food source.

 

[Bryman]

OK so IF we are to bring him inside..........it just so happens we have a 32 gallon bow-front tank that we have not put fish in since out recent move yet......is that a decent home do you suppose? can he climb that size of a tank? it has a full top cover on it half glass and a small triangle in back that's plastic......plus we still have the light on top too......

what all will he need? our 3 year old is quite attached to this guy so maybe bringing him inside will be better........how old do you suppose he is? at 7 or so inches long from nose to tail tip. also how do i know if its a male or female? whats the best stuff to put into his tank? also how often do we need to clean his home? is it like fish? water changes weekly?

 

[Bryman]

AWESOME advice, NOW with earthworms are you talking the kind i can get like from a fishing/tackle shop? also do i just put them in there? i mean will they burrow around under the substrate stuff? and how often do i clean the substrate? and when i do is it a all gets removed all gets replaced thing?

also will i even need the aquarium light or just get rid of it? does this little guy need any type of sunlight? meaning do i need to put the tank near a window? or can the aquarium light be the light source?

HEAT....do i need any or will the ambient temp of the house temp be enough? and by keeping the substrate moist do you do that by squirt bottle daily or what?

thanks for the help BTW......i know NOTHING about this but i want to make sure this guy(or girl) is healthy

 

[Jan]

The answers to many of the questions you ask have been provided in the readings suggested by Shmifty5. As well, here is a recent thread that provides 3 discussions on tiger salamander habitats:

http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...wt-salamander-help/70871-habitat-upgrade.html

To answer your questions directly:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AWESOME advice, NOW with earthworms are you talking the kind i can get like from a fishing/tackle shop? Yes. Nightcrawlers are a great choice.also do i just put them in there? i mean will they burrow around under the substrate stuff? I recommend handfeeding so you know what your animal is eating and how much. You may need to chop large nightcrawlers into smaller pieces. and how often do i clean the substrate? For the size of your enclosure, maybe every 4 months. The key is to clean if it begins to smell stale. Spot clean for feces and dead prey every few days. and when i do is it a all gets removed all gets replaced thing? Yes.

also will i even need the aquarium light or just get rid of it? Get rid of it. does this little guy need any type of sunlight? meaning do i need to put the tank near a window? Do not place the enlosure next to direct sunlight. or can the aquarium light be the light source? No light source is needed.

HEAT....do i need any or will the ambient temp of the house temp be enough? NO heat. You want the maximum temps to be in the low 70sF, preferably less. and by keeping the substrate moist do you do that by squirt bottle daily or what?Yes, a squirt bottle filled with dechlorinated/deammoniated water or bottled spring water. You do not need to do this daily - only when the substrate begins to appear dry - when using coco-fiber, you can readily see it beginning to dry.

thanks for the help BTW......i know NOTHING about this but i want to make sure this guy(or girl) is healthy. Please read all of the readings that have been offered to you....they provide a wealth of information.

The other thing you will want to do is get rid of the glass top. You must have a well ventillated enclosure. See the aforementioned discussions regarding this. Wire mesh works very well.

I advocate not handling the animal except when absolutely necessary, e.g., when changing substrate. The oils on our hands are not friendly to the animal. Wash hands and thoroughly rinse before handling. While changing substrate, placing the sal in a plastic container with a half-inch of dechlorinated/deammoniated water or bottled spring water works well. I use Rubbermaid containers with air holes punched in the lid for the animals when changing substrate. Also, wet your hands with this same water when handling the sal.

 

[Bryman]

Thanks Jan. Wow, tons of answers!! I think in our basement is where i´ll end up putting the tank...it rarely reaches 70 down there. Now, i just have to find a way to make a wire mesh top for this tank!!

 

[Wolferic]

They really are amazing pets.
Once you have a idea of how much he eats at once.. And how often its really quite easy to care for them. Mine likes to watch Tv, I try to keep his schedule the same feedings mistings that sort of thing. Change his water daily make sure that he doesn't have to big a water bowl so he can drown. I mist every morning when i put on the coffee.Depending on the temperature i usually feed my guy once every 2-3 days. Everyday if it is really warm. I try a combo of Worms and crickets (dusted at least once a month with calcium) also the odd locust or moth or what ever bug i find that is fine for him to eat. I also hand feed him as been noted to keep a eye on what he is eating. I Don't handle my guy very often and when i do its Minimal at best and with wet hands that have been washed free of body salt then rinse again with drinking bottled water. (don't use tap water because of the chlorine) SOrry make sure to use Bottle water or chlorine free water in his water dish also. I keep my Tank away from any windows or heat source or direct light In-direct light works best and If he seems stressed A towel over his tank during the day seems to help mine after a big tank change. Though my Guy hardly gets stressed now.. Only When i change around his tank or remove hides.. He gets kind of ticked when i take his favorite hide out lol.. Once or twice a month I do a Fecal scan in the substrate to find the grey footballs lol.. The ones he doesn't deposit in the water. get rid of them. Also I Would DO a Full tank clean more in the Hot months..to make sure he doesn't get sick.. and Just make sure your substrate is Wet enough as he does take in the moisture threw the substrate as well as the food. You will get to know the feel of it after the first couple of times..:> Also Hand feeding your guy comes in handy for not having dead rotting bugs in your tanking causing problems for your pet:> Enjoy and share the pictures lots:>

 

[Wolferic]

ALso a side note if you are going to Collect bugs (worms ect) in your yard make sure your neighbors do not spray their Grass with chemicals.. as been said it would or could make your guy sick.. ALso if your going to collect WOrms.. you can store them in your fridge in a container but don't keep them in there too long as i have read of Salamanders getting sick or drying due to feedings of Worms that were kept to long. If in doubt throw it out. LOL.. Good luck!:>

 

[Bryman]

im back. its been a LONG time....our little wild friend is still with us, we didnt see him through the winter at all, and i feared the worst. but he came out about 2 months ago and i could not have been happier. i left him out there because we are currently finishing our basement and didnt want to stress him, HOWEVER its time he become a member of our family. he actually jumps up in the air when i go to feed him, and even when i walk up to the window he "smiles" at me and comes running. i have to clean the 32 gallon bowfront aquarium, its still really funky from our old setup of fish. ill post a pic of it below. now when you all talk about wire mesh for the tank top, can i get an example of the mesh? ill need something fairly sturdy as we have cats the like to sit on the tank (we dont promote it and the get shooed off when we see it)

also i just want to make sure........topsoil or organic top soil is ok? mixed with cocnut fiber? is that a 50-50 mix? also where do i pick up this cocnut fiber? my local petsmart laughed at me when i asked for it yesterday......




here is the tank...........keep in mind its in need of a cleaning..... i also thought of leaving the top glass on......the reason? well its glass covered about 85% of the top. therear corner however is uncovered for the pump hoses etc, for when in use for fish...that part ill wire mesh cover and should give ample air intake you think???

 

[Bryman]

well here is the tank.........all cleaned, got my 50/50 cocnut fibre/organic topsoil. got a few fake plants in there for looks.........got a small "pool" he can go in, a food dish, and a rock cave. the mixture is about 5 inches deep. hopefully ill get him in there some time today, he is hiding in his outside hole now.

quick question, what do you all use to mist the substrate? i got this mister from petco, but it kinda sucks.....im open to ideas as to whats better.........


also, not using the light, its just there...........

 

[JKoz]

WOW.

That is impressive.

I wrote a huge post, then it went away. :angry:

So pay attention! haha

I got mine from the wild too, she was about to die in January after coming out too early.

Most important things to keep him alive:

1) Check the temp guage INSIDE the tank and make sure it doesn't go above 70C If it does, just devovte some major real estate to ice packs, or something else that will keep it down.

2) Don't handle him, if you have to, scoop with some moss, clean wet hands, rinse or mist him off after in water.

3) Put a water dish in. Ideally they don't need one, but what is ideal? It is the perfect 'life preserver' for him in case you let everything dry out. If you see him soaking in it, you knwo you have dropped the ball and the substrate is too dry. Wet it, he will give you a look, and go back in. :nono: But he won't be dead!

4) Earthworms are awesome! I have even read they contain everything they need tobe happy and healthy. So get the smallest ones you can, and go for it.

That is it - have fun, I am a even little jealous cause tigers are more outgoing than spotted, even though I wouldnt trade my pretty sally for the world, but enjoy this fascinating creature. It will help everyone that sees him appreciate wetlands a little more. roud:

JK

 

[Bryman]

thanks. i just put him in last night........he seemed kinda freaked out for a bit today he is a lot calmer. popped in 6 crickets 5 mins ago........there are only 2 left LOL. got some small worms from the store, ill probably give him 1-2 in a day or so...they are wickedly tiny.

he hasnt burrowed in the substrate yet.......should i be concerned??

 

[JKoz]

Just wondering how he is doing - didn't get to reply to your last one.

He probably was just too excited to burrow, I heard those little tigers have outgoing personalities.

How is he now, did he find a good place to chill?

JK

 

[Linus]

Also looking for an update, I'm so jelly of your handsome Tiger. Good name too hahaha

 

[JKoz]

Update???

Hows the little guy doing?

JK

 

[Bryman]

hey guys.......well, wellington seems to like his new digs!! for the first few days he hid in the corner, didnt dig, but still ate. i got worried, then one morning i looked in, POOF gone.............then i saw a hole in the far corner with an eyeball . he made a hole!!!!! i was like YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!!!!!!! not i look in there there are like 8 different holes, a few have collapsed, but mainly he loves hiding in his rock thingy. he comes out when i spray him each night, and is eating those crickets up left and right. i just gave him 3 tonight cause the kids wanted to see him eat. they LOVED watching eat those bugs!! lol and cant wait till he eats tomorrow, but got mad when i said he wont eat again till friday or saturday. anyway..my biggest issue is trying to scoop poop. i cant find any at all!!! he has been in his new home for 3 weeks now maybe...........still no idea what the poop looks like........so every few days i just reach in there, and mix up his dirt so if the poop is on top, then maybe it will get mixed in. i figure, if i cant see poop, ill just change his dirt once a month or so then. he isint too fond of spray time, he tries to run away from the water but he still gets wet. then after a long night of digging in the morining he comes out covered in dirt he is a funny little thing thats for sure!!