Question: Salamander not burrowing

[Oscar84]

Hi I'm new to this and haven't had my tiger salamander very long I found him outside and fell in love but Oscar doesn't burrow at all I've tried just moss in his aquarium and just terrarium soil and I've also tried mixing them I was just wondering if its because the substrate is to moist or dry or if I could be doing anything else that is preventing him from burrowing I want him to be happy and if there's anything I'm doing wrong I would like to fix it thank you for your time and hopefully someone can help me

 

[JoshBA]

If its dead moss (the yellow colored sphagnum moss) then the substrate is likely too acidic, which may be keeping your salamander from burrowing into it. Also, what kind of terrarium soil do you have mixed in? If its peat then it would also be an issue with acidity.
Tiger salamanders also become quite tame in captivity, and will stay above the soil for extended periods of time seeking out food from their owner. Sometimes mine stay crawling around on the surface for a few weeks, only staying in their hides or burrowing under the top few inches of soil. This normally doesn't last very long, and they eventually resume their lives underground.
I believe this is largely influenced by the current feeding schedule of the owner. For instance, if the salamanders are being fed daily, then they're more likely to stick around waiting for more.

 

[Jan]

Have a look at this: Caudata Culture Articles - Tiger Salamander 101

Also give it something under which it can burrow e.g., a heavy water dish, flat rock, etc.

 

[Oscar84]

Right now im using just tropical soil coconut fiber bedding but before I used a mix of that with the moss and ive also tried just the moss the moss came in a compressed block and it was a dark green color not yellow I feed him once ever 2 -3 days but he does borrow at all he hides under the hide rock I got him and he spends quite a bit of time out and about his aquarium but ive never seen him even a little under the substrate and ive been changing his substare once every two weeks

 

[Jan]

Right now im using just tropical soil coconut fiber bedding but before I used a mix of that with the moss and ive also tried just the moss the moss came in a compressed block and it was a dark green color not yellow I feed him once ever 2 -3 days but he does borrow at all he hides under the hide rock I got him and he spends quite a bit of time out and about his aquarium but ive never seen him even a little under the substrate and ive been changing his substare once every two weeks

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Hiding under the rock is burrowing. In the wild, these salamanders often inhabit a burrow made by another animal.