Ambystoma macrodactylum care- conflicting information

[Silver]

Hello! I'm looking into acquiring some long toed salamanders, and as I've run around the internet looking for care sheets I've found lots of conflicting information.

The little that has been said about this species on the Caudata forums advises keeping them in an entirely terrestrial environment. However, elsewhere on the internet says the perfect set up is half water/half land, or all water, or no water at all (and onward and so forth). Personally, back when I was new to caudate keeping and didn't know much about their care at all, I assumed since I found them by a lake they'd want water and I kept them in a half water/half land set up. Despite being terrestrial when I found them, they spent most of their time in the water (which I thought was super weird- anyone else agree?)

So... how should I keep my new ones? I think going with a semi aquatic tank would be best, based off of past experience, but I'm interested in what you guys think

-Silver

 

[daedae]

Long-toed Salamander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia According to wiki, they have an aquatic breeding phase, so unless you plan to breed them, a terrestrial set-up with a little access to water is fine. Many salamanders can be found near sources of water, but not directly in them unless actively breeding. Giving it access to a little body of water in its enclosure should suffice.

 

[Jan]

You are apt to find anything and everything and much of it incorrect, out on the net.

Adults of this species are terrestrial - larvae, aquatic. If you are acquiring adults, you will need a terrestrial set-up. Both of the caresheets below describe housing that would be suitable for A. macrodactylum:

Caudata Culture Articles - Tiger Salamander 101

Caudata Culture Species Entry - Ambystoma opacum