Salamander breeders in the south of England

[lewis]

Hi there,

Does anyone know of some good Salamander breeders in the south of England? I live in Stevenage, just north of London. I don't mind travelling a little way but I'm not going to Scotland

If anyone knows any good websites that you can order them off I would be grateful for URL's too.

Many thanks

 

[mark]

Hi Lewis, you might need to be a bit more specific about the species you are after. Maybe post something in the wanted section of the forum. There are a number of online amphibian dealers (dartfrog/pollywog etc.. google them for urls). They trade in a mix of WC and CB animals.

 

[lewis]

Yeah I am after Salamander's, I've got S. s. terrestris & bernardezi's - I am quite taken with Marbled Salamanders (Ambystoma opacum) but I want ones that can live in the same tank as my dezi's. I have found those two sites, they are quite good and they do sell the marbled. Are there any other colourful, pretty smaller Sali's that people can recommend?

 

[mark]

Whilst Ambystomids may appear to be similar in habits and habitat requirements I personally wouldn’t mix them with Salamandra. Both genera have powerful toxins – if a Salamandra mistakes A.opacums tail for a juicy worm it’s R.I.P. Abystomids, despite their colourful appearance lead a mainly fossorial lifestyle. Sticking to single species enclosures is the best advice.

 

[jennifer]

I agree, it would be risky putting those species together. Even if their size were compatible, their behavior is likely to be quite different.

 

[lewis]

Thanks everyone for your comments! I have found a breeder and I'm getting some Ambystoma opacum's - I have a seperate tank all ready for them. Thanks again!

 

[william]

Hi Lewis,

Like i said in the PM, don't be disappointed if you never see them, that's just the way it goes with most Ambystoma.

can i ask, what breeder did you get them from? they are quite difficult to breed in captivity. the ones on dartfrog and pollywog are wild caught if you're getting them from there.

 

[lewis]

I'm getting them from one of the moderators on this forum, the gent has been keeping & breeding Sali's for many many years and has given me lots of tips. Salamanders are one of the most fasinating animals I have come across, much to my wife's horror - my collection is just going to grow and grow! Thanks for posting!

 

[mike]

Just to clarify, I didn't breed these opacum, I bought a gravid female and raised the young.

 

[lewis]

Apologies, I assumed with you had bred these ones