Ambystoma opacum

[Kent]

What is the best way to get one or two marbled salamanders? I'm planning on getting some in early January, but I'm not sure where to go to find captive bred.

Also, how easy are these to take care of? This would be my first caudate.

 

[Kaysie]

These guys aren't readily available as CB in the US. Only a handful of people have bred them world-wide.

They're shy. I mean, really shy. You'll probably never see them. Be sure that's something you want in your first caudates.

 

[igor]

I have two adult marbled salamanders and one young (one year old) female, and they are great pets. Like other ambystomids, they are secretive and like lots of places to hide. They are fine at room temperature, and need little attention other than daily mistings with spring water (never tap!) and twice a week feedings (they are voracious little eaters!)

 

[Kent]

I decided to go with opacum because they are more heat-tolerant (I have come up with a cooling system but it only gets it to the upper 60s). If there are any other more heat-tolerant terrestrial salamanders, I would be thrilled with suggestions; I am definately open to getting a different species.

 

[Jan]

I would not describe A. opacum as 'heat-tolerant' unless you mean low-70sF or less as being heat tolerant which is the same temperature range as for other ambystoma species such as tigers and spotteds. As Kaysie stated, opacums tend to be very shy. Tigers on the other hand tend to be less shy and mine are what I would characterize as outgoing. Tigers, spotted, blue spotted, etc., unfortunately are like opacums in that they rarely if ever breed in captivity.

 

[Kent]

Ok, thank you. By "heat-tolerant" I meant lower 70s, upper 60s as opposed to 40s or 50s. I would be interested in spotted; maculatum always interested me. I'm going to guess that they are not easy to find...

 

[Kaysie]

All ambystomatids can be kept in that temperature range, as long as you don't let it go over the low 70's. The lower range is winter temperature range. Mine are kept at ~58F right now.