COMMON NAME

Spotted Salamander

LATIN NAME

Ambystoma masculatum

NATIVE TO

Southern Canada and Eastern USA

ADULT SIZE

8in/20cm. Can live up to 20 years

EGGS OR YOUNG?

Lays 20-75 eggs hatching after 1-2 months

APPEARANCE

This is a large salamander. The body colouring is a greyish black with yellow or reddish orange spots arranged in two rows running from head to tail. Some are more vividly marked than others

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

Feed 2-3 times a week. They eat earthworms, crickets, waxworms, grasshoppers, moths, flies, spiders, beetles, spiders and snails. Do not leave a lot of uneaten live food to crawl over them as this will distress the salamander

EASE OF CARE

Beginners upwards

TEMPERAMENT

They are relatively shy and will often remain hidden for long periods.They can be kept in small groups of 2-3 but are quite territorial so make sure you provide lots of hiding places and adequate food to minimize fighting. Avoid handling. Nocturnal

VIVARIUM SETUP

A vivarium 48x15x12in/120x38x30cm will easily house one or two. Salamanders drown easily so if you use an aquaterrarium instead, keep the water level low and provide a slope for them to climb out. Mist daily.
Add some cork or a small rotting log to provide hiding places.
They like moist, low-light conditions with a temperature of 15-23C/60-74F so heating is not normally required. If you use an aquaterrarium you will need a water filter.

SUBSTRATE

A mix of peat, sphagnum moss and leaves to a depth of 2-3 inches will provide a cool damp base.