Question: Spotted salamander care help

[Spade]

Hi everyone,

I'm still doing my research and there is the possibility for us to get a spotted salamander instead of a fire belly newt. Both are now under consideration, but I can't really find much information about proper spotted salamander care, especially when it comes to less general questions. Pretty much all I could find was paraphrases of the exact same article over and over again, and that makes me question the validity of the information to begin with.

Anyone could point me to reliable sources so I can compare the two (spotted salas vs fire bellies)? Or, preferably, share their own knowledge and experience? All information is much appreciated!

 

[Niels D]

Spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) are being bred in Europe, but it's a lot more difficult to get your hands on them, because you won't find them in The Netherlands. Fire belly newts end up being aquatic, so you have to keep them in an aquarium. Spotted salamanders are terrestrial, so you need to keep them in a terrarium. Two completely different ways of husbandry. You have to keep in mind that Ambystomids are called mole salamanders for a reason. You won't see it very often in your terrarium, because it spends most of it's time underground.

Although fire-bellied newts can be kept in a fully terrestrial setup, this prevents them from displaying their full range of natural behaviours and makes breeding impossible.