Introducing Salamanders

[vail]

Hi! This is my second post on Caudata. Earlier I posted about a sick salamander, but he is all good now! But today, I found another salamander, ( Colorado tiger salamander). I would really like to keep it although I have another salamander (same type) and they would have to share a cage. Would it be okay if they shared a cage? Are there any tips on how I can introduce them? The cage is big enough for two but I may need another hiding place for it since the one I have is only big enough for one salamander. Paulie, (the salamander I've had) has never had another animal in the cage with him. Also, the salamander I just found seems to be younger, would that affect anything? Paulie is not shy or really scared of anything but the new salamander is shy and a bit scared when people walk by it.

Thank you!
Vail

 

[jewett]

Hi Vail,

The new salamander should be quarantined for several months prior to allowing it to live with your current animal. Also, it would not be amiss to take the new animal to a vet for a fecal test to check for parasites.

After a 3 month quarantine the 2 salamanders can live together as long as they are close to the same size. Even if there is no aggression shown, a smaller animal may be very intimidated by a larger con-specific and will hide and waste away from stress.

I don't think you really need to do any "introductions," though, if and when you put them together. And yes, you should offer a hide for each animal in the enclosure plus one extra

Best of luck!

HJ