Portugese Fire Salamander

[Damian2]

Just wondering if anybody has kept these outside all year in the UK ?
I've heard they can be very hardy despite the literature saying they don't tolerate temps below 10C for long periods.
Thanks

 

[John]

Just wondering if anybody has kept these outside all year in the UK ?
I've heard they can be very hardy despite the literature saying they don't tolerate temps below 10C for long periods.
Thanks

In Northern Europe they can be kept like that but you need to provide subterranean refuges for them so they can get away from the cold and extreme heat. A lot of people accomplish this using buried pipes, or boxes with pipes leading to the surface. You can keep gallaica in very similar conditions to terrestris and you should t have any issues.

 

[Damian2]

In Northern Europe they can be kept like that but you need to provide subterranean refuges for them so they can get away from the cold and extreme heat. A lot of people accomplish this using buried pipes, or boxes with pipes leading to the surface. You can keep gallaica in very similar conditions to terrestris and you should t have any issues.

Excellent John thank you for replying.
I keep terrestris outside all year round. They easily survived a very cold winter last year with underground refuges and a good covering of leaves/leaf mould

 

[John]

Excellent John thank you for replying.
I keep terrestris outside all year round. They easily survived a very cold winter last year with underground refuges and a good covering of leaves/leaf mould

I would love to see some photos of your setups, particularly of the refuges and how you made them.