Care on a wild salamander

E

edie

Guest
Last night I found a jefferson Salamander (I think) on my balcony. Thought I would try and keep it for my son. I have tried to find something on caring for these animals. I have him in a tank with a couple of water dishes. What should I feed him/her. What kind of habitat and lighting? Should I just let it go?
 
I would personally let it go as you don't know if it has any diseases etc. You could also buy another newt or salamander eg. axolotl that would probably be a better pet and easier to handle. A lot of newts and salamanders reportedly refuse to eat when taken out of the wild aswell.

However, if you do decide to keep him I would try bloodworm to start.
 
I disagree with Crof. Jefferson complex salamanders are wonderful pets, although not very active. I enjoy mine. And no caudates should be 'handled'.

Buying an animal from a pet shop does not guarantee it will be a better pet. Most pet shop animals are mass-harvested from the wild.

I feed mine earthworms, crickets, waxworms, etc. Anything soft bodied. A good ambystomatid care sheet can be found here http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Ambystoma/A_tigrinum.shtml This will give you lots of information on how to house your new guy.
 
I think it would be fun to try keeping him if. I couldn't find the Jefferson Salamander on the site. I am assuming t treat him like the Tiger Belly. I have him just in an aquarium. Looks like I have some work to do. Can I just get soil in the woods or should I get soil pre bagged? Are leaves a good option? Are Jefferson's "diggers". Is the 72 degree rule of thumb ok for them? Thanks for the good info. If he still seems stressed after a few days I will let him go.
 
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Ambystoma/A_opacum.shtml

most of the small ambystomids can be kept in relatively the same conditions, this caresheet will probably be the most relevant. Yes jeffersons are burrowing, but with time you may be able to have it feeding in daylight. If you want to see it more often, a shallow soil with logs and bark ontop would be a good idea.
 
In addition to what has been offered above on care, re your question on soil, just assure that your soil is free of chemicals such as insecticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Bags of top soil without these chemicals can be found in garden shops and is inexpensive.
 
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