Multi-species housing

[nckeeper]

Has anyone ever or heard if it is possible to house MARBLED and SPOTTED salamanders together?
I'm trying to get a multi-species exhibit going on.

 

[Nathan050793]

Re: Multi-specie housing

I have heard that it can be done, especially since they are of the same genus and often have overlapping territories (even being found under the same log). If you do end up actually doing it, I would suggest providing a very large enclosure with plenty of hides.

 

[tylototriton]

Re: Multi-specie housing

I agree with Nathan. The general rule is no multispecies housing, but the two species live in the same habitat and have the same range. A large enclosure with many places to hide will be necessary, as well as adequate food. Most importantly, the salamanders should be close in size to cut down on the possibility of predation.

Alex

 

[Kaysie]

Re: Multi-specie housing

In this case, marbleds are a bit smaller than spotteds, but both are pretty shy species, and you could probably pull it off. If you're trying to get an 'exhibit' going on, where you actually SEE the salamanders, I don't think either of these species are really what you should be going for.

 

[lims]

Re: Multi-specie housing

while we're on the topic, what are people thoughts on P. hongkongensis with an axolotl of the same size in a heavily planted 30 gallon tank with lots of hides? Sorry I don't mean to hijack the thread..

 

[Kaysie]

Re: Multi-specie housing

Because of the higher toxicity of the warty newts and the fairly aggressive nature of axolotls, I'd say no.

 

[lims]

Re: Multi-specie housing

actually your right the axalotl is aggressive I wont try it silly me, but I didn't realise the warty newts were toxic enough to bother him

 

[nckeeper]

Re: Multi-specie housing

before someone ever so rudley took over my thread...(just kidding)
I was going to say that this is for a public exhibit.
I have no real control of picking the individuals sizes since they will be mail ordered.
They will be fed seperatly and closely monitored. I basically work at a small zoo so these guys will have the same care that our other animals such as our bears and wolves get.
It has to be North Carolina native species. I dont really want tiger because those would be too large.

 

[Nathan050793]

Re: Multi-specie housing

This sounds like it could work, however, Kaysie put out a good point. A.opacum and A.maculatum are both very shy, so as zoo animals, they do poorly as no one ever sees them. If possible, you may want to try rigging the setup so that the animals can be seen, but at the same time feel comfortable. I know some members on the forum have done this with success. I know Jennewt did something similar to this, however I don't know how to find the link; Maybe she or Kaysie could give it to you. In the meantime, browse the forum. Good Luck!

 

[Kaysie]

Re: Multi-specie housing

Tigers really aren't that much larger than spotted salamanders. Spotteds can reach upwards of 6-7 inches, while average tigers are 7-10 inches. Tigers would be MUCH better exhibit animals.

 

[rigsby]

Re: Multi-specie housing

Yes but a tiger may try to make a meal of a spotted which is what ,i think, he was getting at.

 

[IAMSTEVE]

Re: Multi-specie housing

Species Should NEVER be Mixed, Everyone will tell you this. =P
They can, You Just have to have Bigger enclosures and Maintain and Watch them Quite well. Everything Must Be Pristine. Myself, I would Probably never house Different Species together.
Just as you've Heard, Lots Of space and the right requirements and they should be fine.
For Show and tell.. I also Would Not Get Spotted Or Marbled. Tigers Or Fire are More Active, as they aren't as shy.

Bon Chance,
Steve

 

[Lasher]

Re: Multi-specie housing

Species Should NEVER be Mixed, Everyone will tell you this.

Everyone wont
As long as it is well thought out, the needs of each seperate species are accomodated and there is no risk of interbreeding or harm coming to the animals in question I find it acceptable. Particularly in the case of a well thought out and informative public display(educational for the masses rather than just for the amusement of the keeper). Go for it!

 

[Kaysie]

Re: Multi-specie housing

Yes but a tiger may try to make a meal of a spotted which is what ,i think, he was getting at.

Oh dear, I didn't mean keeping a tiger and a spotted together. That would be disaster! My point is that both spotteds and marbleds would never be seen, ever. Tigers might be; they're much more outgoing, and even come out to beg for food. They'd make a MUCH better exhibit animal.

 

[lims]

Re: Multi-specie housing

Everyone wont
As long as it is well thought out, the needs of each seperate species are accomodated and there is no risk of interbreeding or harm coming to the animals in question I find it acceptable. Particularly in the case of a well thought out and informative public display(educational for the masses rather than just for the amusement of the keeper). Go for it!

I agree, thats why we have so many of these annoying species mixing questions. I kind of felt stupid asking the axolotl and warty newt question, I'm not going to mix them, it's not worth it.
But,, the nature of the axolotl staying near the surface, would probably keep him out of the warty's way, who are primarily bottom dwellers. I also think if they were well fed and fed at the same time at different ends of the tank they could co-exist. Presently the axolotl couldn't even get his mouth round them actually.
As for toxicity, I don't believe warty's are toxic enough to bother him. Are they really? or is it more that they could potentially bother him?

Ok, I await the disagreements..

 

[oregon newt]

Re: Multi-specie housing

How are the marbled salamander and spotted salamander so similar that you can keep them together? Why wouldn't you be able to keep a spotted and tiger salamander together?

 

[Nathan050793]

Re: Multi-specie housing

How are the marbled salamander and spotted salamander so similar that you can keep them together? Why wouldn't you be able to keep a spotted and tiger salamander together?

Marbled salamanders and Spotted salamanders are both of the genus Ambystoma (not to say tigers aren't) and have overlapping ranges. Both species have similar temperment and are somewhat similar in size (enough that neither poses a serious threat). Although Tigers share many of these common characteristics, they tend to get much larger than the latter two, which poses a threat in the form of predatory behavior. Tigers are also much less wary of people.

Just for the record, I to am an advocate of exhibiting Tigers over the other salamanders mentioned.

 

[Nathan050793]

Re: Multi-specie housing

Tigers Or Fire are More Active, as they aren't as shy.

nckeeper needs salamander species that are native to North Carolina, USA. Salamandra species would not apply here.

 

[Daniel]

Re: Multi-specie housing

But,, the nature of the axolotl staying near the surface, would probably keep him out of the warty's way, who are primarily bottom dwellers.

I cannot agree with that since my Axolotls (and most Axolotls I know) are mostly bottom dwellers, too, so they and the warty's would share the same space and most axolotls get bigger and more massive. No good idea in my opinion.

 

[lims]

Re: Multi-specie housing

I agree it's not a good idea, but actually my axolotl doesn't spend much time on the bottom, he stays in the plants and at the top, I imagine they'll simply be where the food is in most cases. And of course when he grows he would get his mouth round a warty.