new tiger salamander set-up and questions.

[Ender42]

hello everyone.
my tiger sal has just recently started to morph, so i have set up a new terrarium for him. let me know what you think.

sorry the quality is bad(camera phone)but on the left that is a log under the stair thing and he can go behind it too, as another area to hide.
this is just the start i am going to add some plants so that he can maybe move around more comfortably.
here is the little guy in his pond

i also have a few questions regarding the morphing process. is it normal for him to not be as active at first getting used to his new habitat? is there anything i should change or add to his tank? and is a UTH necessary?
thanks any feedback would be great

 

[slowfoot]

It looks good. What kind of substrate are you using? I'd be tempted to add some dried leaves or something for him to nose around in, and maybe another hide.

Tiger salamanders tend to become much more 'lazy' once they're terrestrial. They'll also spend a lot of time hiding or burrowing.

 

[Kaysie]

Your substrate looks really damp. I would let it dry out a bit. Moist to the touch, but not so moist you can ring water out of it. And add more. They like to burrow, so 4-5 inches of substrate isn't too much.

And no, you do NOT need a heater. I keep mine at 40-50F in the winter, and less than 75F (with help of an air conditioner) in the summer.

 

[Ender42]

thank you, i have added plenty more substrate (which is t-rex jungle bed). i was also wondering what the best way to keep the temperature a little lower. right now its at 70.1F but i would like to lower it a couple of degrees, any ideas? I have read the lower the temperature you only need to feed once a week, rather than twice for the higher temp. however i have fed it its first crickets today, and he loved them! thanks for the help everyone.

 

[Kaysie]

You might also try mixing the jungle bed (which is coconut fiber) with topsoil. This holds moisture and structure better.

To keep the temperature lower, you can move the tank to another location, or you can put a fan over the tank.

You might also try feeding earthworms.