SALAMANDERS & NEWTS  

  • Only found in the Americas and in the temperate zones of Northern Africa, Asia, and Europe.
  • Often mistaken for a lizard, however they have no claws, scales, or external ear openings and have soft, moist skin.
  • Three types of salamanders and newts – totally aquatic, semi-aquatic, and completely terrestrial.

Diet

Salamanders and newts respond to touch and movement, and therefore should eat only live foods. A well rounded diet of crickets, mealworms, waxworms, beetles, earthworms, small moths, and very small guppies for aquatic salamanders can be fed. Feed only as much as your salamander can consume at one time, no foods should be leftover in the tank, and no additional food should be fed until all the other live foods are eaten.

Keep fresh water, treated with a water conditioner, available at all times.

Housing  

A ten to fifteen gallon tank will suffice for one to two salamanders. Depending on if your salamander is fully aquatic, semi aquatic, or terrestrial you may have to modify the tank to suit him.

Most salamanders will be happy with several inches of soil to burrow down in and an extra large, deep water dish to soak in. Keep in mind that chlorine and chloramines are toxic for salamanders; always use distilled water or a water conditioner before allowing your salamander access to the water.

You can use an aquarium heater to heat the water in fully aquatic salamanders. A heat lamp or under tank heater can be used on any other set up. Most salamanders and newts are not picky about their temperature, typically thriving with a temperature gradient of 65-75 degrees on the warm side.

Handling & Care

Salamanders are relatively docile; however, handling should be kept to a bare minimum. The salts and oils in our skin are toxic to them and they cannot tolerate handling other than when absolutely necessary. Salamanders also secrete a toxin that can cause irritation to human skin.

Spot cleaning by removing feces once a week will ensure a healthy, clean environment but bedding should be thrown away and the entire cage and decorations wiped clean once every month.

Wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap after handling any animal.