Cliffs sound like place exposed to wind and other humidity changes, and definetely different from a rainforest climate. I doubt there is a need of installing a misting system, perhaps only a small waterfall/creek if you have the right idea to build it.
(can't think of the Latin offhand)
You better learn Latin names, because even outside the fact that there are often more than one "common" names in English, this is an international forum and Latin names are same for every nation
"Firebelly newt" or "Dusky salamander" are not really precise names, for example.
Ha ha! Good point. What about the circulation do most caudates like the stale air that breeds surface fungi? Is the lack of circulation the reason it is so critical to have a sterile substrate vs a biologically diverse one? I understand about parasite build-up in a nearly closed system but it seems like a better idea to have a live substrate rather than a dead one. WhY ars some thoughts along these lines?
Most caudates live under logs, stones, moss and layers of dead foliage. I bet you can imagine how much circulation is present in such microhabitats. Fungi and soil organisms are always present there - in terrarium people just recommend that the soil is inhabited by springtails, whiteworms, Grindal worms, woodlice, white isopods etc. Parasites have nothing to do with humidity itself, they will "build up" if they have a host (a salamander) which is not treated from them. Keep on mind that not all mites are parasites - these small organisms often show up in terrariums or in food cultures but they feed on dead organic matter. The same animals sometimes eat salamander tissues - but they're not the cause, they only eat the dying tissue of a sick animal, but don't make the animal sick by themselves. It happens sometimes when our caudates get skin infections, caused by bacteria, for example.
Anyway, in a caudate terrarium a good layer of soil, bark, leaf litter and moss is a right substrate which keeps the right humidity with only sprinkling, allowing the animals to choose a place with adequate degree of moisture.
