Salamanders (amphibians a type of lizard) have a very adorable face. In addition, these animals are also easy to care for - provided you know how to do it well. wikiHow is here to teach you how to properly care for a salamander.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Preparing the Cages for the Salamanders
Step 1. Use an aquarium or water tank as a salamander cage
An aquarium or tank designed for reptiles can make good enclosures for salamanders. Use a 37 liter tank as a cage so that the salamanders you have can freely be in the cage. An aquarium tank is a great place for both aquatic and semi-aquatic salamanders. Make sure you clean the tank first before you use it.
You can also use a plastic or acrylic tank if you don't want a glass tank
Step 2. Make sure you have a tight tank cover
Salamander is a good climber, which with the size of the cage it will be easy for him to climb out. Therefore, it is very important that you have a tight cover for the salamander's cage so that it does not easily climb out of the cage. Wire rams can be the best cover, because in addition to protecting the salamander from climbing out of the cage, it also provides excellent air circulation.
If you can't afford wire ram then you can also use any other cover you can find
Step 3. Determine the type of cage your salamander needs
You may need to build an aquatic, semi-aquatic, or terrestrial type of cage for your slamander. However, it depends on the type of salamander you want to have. If you're not too sure, you can ask the salamander seller where you purchased the salamander for the type of cage your salamander needs.
- Aquatic salamanders such as the Mexican salamander will spend a lot of time in the water.
- Semi-aquatic salamanders should have tanks that are half water and half land.
- Terrestrial salamanders do not need water in their cages.
Step 4. Prepare the tank to be used
Again, this depends on the type of salamander you have. Note that the advanced steps below are just a basic guide-you can make it the way you want it using your creativity.
- Aquatic tank: You should use the aquarium as a cage for your salmonder. Cover the bottom with five centimeters of aquarium stone. Also place aquatic plants as a play area for salamanders, but you may need to replace them periodically as salamanders often damage aquatic plants.
- Semi-aquatic tank: Divide the tank you will be using into two parts using acrylic mica. So then the tank that you will use later has two parts, namely the part that is filled with water, and the land part. Cover the water-filled area with a 5-centimeter-thick aquarium rock and some aquatic plants. Create a sloping gradient with pebbles so the salamander can walk from the water to the land. On the land side, cover with aquarium rock 5 centimeters thick, then cover the top with a substrate (as an aquarium rock cover). This substrate can be in the form of mulched soil such as pieces of skin or coconut husk. Then cover again using sterile soil or clay.
- Terrestrial tank: Do the same as for the land part of the semi-aquatic tank, but this applies to the entire tank. Also add plants and moss.
Step 5. Provide a water bowl for the terrestrial salamander
Make sure the bowl you use is not too big and deep because this type of salamander is generally not very good at swimming so it may sink if the water bowl you use is too big and deep.
Step 6. Add a hiding place for the salamander
No matter what type of salamander you have, you'll need to provide him with a place to hide in the cage. Salamanders may feel stressed and need a place to be alone. You can use stone, pottery, or pieces of wood to create a hiding place for your der shake. You can also purchase a hiding place that is usually available at pet stores to keep her from stressing out.
Step 7. Clean the salamander cage once a week
Put on protective gloves then remove the salamander from the cage and move it to a safe place while the cage is cleaned. After that, scrub the tank and objects in it with hot water and dry it before putting the salamander back in.
Part 2 of 4: Lighting and Heating
Step 1. Use a spectrum light in the salamander's cage
do not place the salamander cage in a place that is exposed to direct sunlight, as this can overheat the tank. You can use a timer to adjust the lights in the salamander's cage to match the natural light in its natural environment. This means that you have to make 'day' and 'night' according to the natural habitat of the salamander you have.
Step 2. Give the salamander a suitable temperature
The temperature you use should be based on the type of salamander you have. Salamanders that don't come from the tropics don't have to get hot. However, salamanders that come from tropical or semi-tropical regions really need good heating. Ask the seller where you bought the salamander about the appropriate temperature for the salamander. You can use a temperature gradient-one part of the cage is warmer than the other. To provide proper heat, follow the instructions below:
- Aquarium water heater: This will warm the temperature of the water in the aquarium and will also increase the humidity in the tank.
- Heating pad: You can place this device on any part of the tank.
- Heating lamps: If you use these, make sure you do frequent monitoring regularly as these heating lamps may dry out the plants in the tank.
Part 3 of 4: Health and Handling
Step 1. Give the salamander filtered water
If you don't want to change the water in the cage frequently, you can use a water filter that you can buy. Or you can also make your own water filter.
Give your terrestrial salamander some filtered water. You can use filtered tap water to remove the chlorine and chloramines, or you can use bottled water
Step 2. Don't touch the salamander
Regardless of which salamander's adorable face you want to hold, make sure you don't. Because the oil released from human hands can make salamanders sick, and vice versa. Therefore, it is much better to just look at the salamander than to hold it.
If you must handle a salamander, make sure you wash your hands with hot water and soap, and make sure you rinse off your soap thoroughly
Step 3. Allow the salamander to hibernate
Salamanders from cold climates will bury themselves in winter. Because if you don't allow the salamander to hibernate it probably won't live long.
Part 4 of 4: Feeding Salamanders
Step 1. Know that salamanders are nocturnal animals
Therefore, it is much better if you feed the salamander at night when this is the time for the salamander to perform its activities. You can set an alarm if it's your first time having a salamander as your pet, or it can be a reminder for you if you forget.
Step 2. Feed the salamander two to three times a week
It should be noted that the salamander may not eat for several days in its new setting. Salamanders need a few days to adjust to their new surroundings. However, some types of salamanders may immediately adapt to their new environment, and can be fed right away.
If you buy an immature salamander you will need to feed it daily until it grows into an adult salamander
Step 3. Give the salamander a balanced diet
Salamanders are carnivorous animals-that is, they hunt to catch their prey. Therefore, you must feed the salamanders with live prey. If you are forced to feed a salamander with dead prey, it is much better to freeze it before you give it to the salamander.:
- Earthworms or other types of worms as well as live crickets can be suitable food for salamanders.
- Give your aquatic salamander crayfish or water fleas.
Step 4. Watch the amount of food the salamander eats
Salamanders will usually stop eating when they are full. Make sure you pay attention to the amount of food the salamander eats when you first get it, so that you can then calculate how much food you should give the next day.
Be aware that fire and tiger salamanders can become fat if they eat too much
Step 5. Remove leftover food from the cage
If the salamanders don't eat their entire meal in the next few hours, they may be full. Throw away the uneaten food to prevent the prey from hurting the salamander.
If you have an aquatic salamander, make sure you always remove any leftover food from the water, otherwise it can contaminate the water in the salamander's cage
Suggestion
- Do not place sharp objects in the tank as this can injure the salamander.
- Salamanders prefer shady or damp places.
- You may be able to find live worms around your house, or else you can buy them at a pet feed store.
Warning
- Human skin is toxic to salamanders. Therefore, do not hold it.
- If you place your cage outside, make sure that it is not exposed to direct sunlight.
