DrNachoZ
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- Apr 21, 2009
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My first fire salamander has been home for just over a day now, and I have a number of questions to ask as this is my first salamander.
I purchased the salamander from a pet store owner who has a great deal of experience keeping and breeding reptiles. She had kept a pair of these salamanders in a 10 gallon tank with Moss as the substrate, a large water dish, and several crickets as the food source. The animals have had a sad couple of days = ( We recently had something of a heatwave here in upstate NY with temperatures in the 80's, judging by what I have read, I suspect the animals went through hell . In addition to the poor things heat problems, the smaller of the two animals died as a result of cricket mauling (according to the shop keeper.) I wasn't sure weather or not I should purchase the animal but I have been eying him for a few weeks and fell in love with the darn thing. I determined it would probably have a better chance with a neophyte keeper than in its current location.
From what I can tell the animal is Salamandra salamandra salamandra, its just over 6 inches in length, I think it has the "swolen cloeca" so im going to reffer to it as "him", but im certinally the farthest thing from an expert. The pet store owner purchased the pair from "a breeder in New Jersey." but thats the only information she has given me. I don't want to make her sound evil. She is a very kind woman, and has great skill in keeping and breeding reptiles.
When I got the animal home I placed it in a container of shallow cool water for about half an hour while I finished setting up his living space. These are the specifics of his new enclosure.
20 Gal Long Terrarium
Substrate- 1/4 inch bottom layer gravel, 1/4inch middle layer charcoal, 2inch top layer top soil and peat mixture.
Plants- Two 4inch pothos planted loosely in the substrate
Hiding Places- I used some cleaned shale pieces and a bit of digging to create some shelter for the animal.
Location- The tank is in my basement, the temperature is stable at about 60*F
When he was first introduced he walked the tank a few times, then spent some time trying to escape the enclosure. the animal doesn't seem to be interested in either of the shelters I have created for him, and seems to instead prefer a back corner nestled amongst the leaves of one pothos. So far (last night and this morning) it hasnt been interested in the crickets its been offered by forseps, but im going to get small earthworms this afternoon and try with those. I wonder if perhaps I should have started with a simpler setup? I am a horticulturist so I have exceptional skill with plants and mini landscapes, but I dont really care what his enclosure ends up looking like, so long as I can meet all oh his needs. I am probably leaving out important information, and I will try to get some pictures of him and his enclosure up asap. Any input would be greatly appreciated, and perhaps some ideas for a simplified tank setup if anyone thinks it appropriate. Thanks!
I purchased the salamander from a pet store owner who has a great deal of experience keeping and breeding reptiles. She had kept a pair of these salamanders in a 10 gallon tank with Moss as the substrate, a large water dish, and several crickets as the food source. The animals have had a sad couple of days = ( We recently had something of a heatwave here in upstate NY with temperatures in the 80's, judging by what I have read, I suspect the animals went through hell . In addition to the poor things heat problems, the smaller of the two animals died as a result of cricket mauling (according to the shop keeper.) I wasn't sure weather or not I should purchase the animal but I have been eying him for a few weeks and fell in love with the darn thing. I determined it would probably have a better chance with a neophyte keeper than in its current location.
From what I can tell the animal is Salamandra salamandra salamandra, its just over 6 inches in length, I think it has the "swolen cloeca" so im going to reffer to it as "him", but im certinally the farthest thing from an expert. The pet store owner purchased the pair from "a breeder in New Jersey." but thats the only information she has given me. I don't want to make her sound evil. She is a very kind woman, and has great skill in keeping and breeding reptiles.
When I got the animal home I placed it in a container of shallow cool water for about half an hour while I finished setting up his living space. These are the specifics of his new enclosure.
20 Gal Long Terrarium
Substrate- 1/4 inch bottom layer gravel, 1/4inch middle layer charcoal, 2inch top layer top soil and peat mixture.
Plants- Two 4inch pothos planted loosely in the substrate
Hiding Places- I used some cleaned shale pieces and a bit of digging to create some shelter for the animal.
Location- The tank is in my basement, the temperature is stable at about 60*F
When he was first introduced he walked the tank a few times, then spent some time trying to escape the enclosure. the animal doesn't seem to be interested in either of the shelters I have created for him, and seems to instead prefer a back corner nestled amongst the leaves of one pothos. So far (last night and this morning) it hasnt been interested in the crickets its been offered by forseps, but im going to get small earthworms this afternoon and try with those. I wonder if perhaps I should have started with a simpler setup? I am a horticulturist so I have exceptional skill with plants and mini landscapes, but I dont really care what his enclosure ends up looking like, so long as I can meet all oh his needs. I am probably leaving out important information, and I will try to get some pictures of him and his enclosure up asap. Any input would be greatly appreciated, and perhaps some ideas for a simplified tank setup if anyone thinks it appropriate. Thanks!