Western
New York Herpetological Society
www.wnyherp.org
©
2001 - 2003 by Western New York Herpetological Society
This
document is for guidance only and should not be used as the sole source of
information. New information is being developed daily. It is recommended that a
concerted effort be made to maintain up-to-date knowledge of the animals of
interest.
Common
Name:
Tiger Salamander
Latin
Name:
Ambystoma tigrinum
Native
to:
Southern Canada to Mexico
Size:
6 – 13 inches snout-tail length
Life
span:
If kept properly they can survive 15 – 20 years in
captivity
Special
Note:
Because the Tiger Salamander can be found in New
York, please be sure that you acquire only captive bred sub-species not found
locally. The subspecies most commonly found in pet shops are from Texas and California.
General
Appearance:
The tiger salamander has wide rounded snout with a
stocky body and small eyes. The coloration varies from black to olive green to
even yellow. There are usually dark spots or blotches on a lighter background
or yellow spots on a dark body giving it its “tiger” markings. Males generally
have a longer tail.
Housing
Requirements:
Enclosure:
A 10-gallon or 15-gallon aquarium with a secure wire
mesh top is adequate for one to two salamanders.
Temperature:
Daytime temperatures can range from 65° – 75° F wile
nighttime temperatures can drop as low as 60° F.
Heat/Light:
Tiger salamanders do well at room temperature and
rarely need any additional heat sources. UV light is also not required, but
they will do well with photoperiod provided by a regular fluorescent light.
Substrate:
Substrates which can hold humidity and allow for
burrowing are preferred. Bedding such as potting soil (without vermiculite),
ground coconut, ground cypress and sphagnum moss can all be used.
Environment:
These nocturnal salamanders like moist surroundings
with places to hide and burrow. Live plants can be used to help maintain the
enclosures humidity levels. Pieces of drift wood and cork bark also provide
great places for your salamander to hide as well. A large shallow water dish should
also be provided.
Diet:
These salamanders eat anything they can fit in their
mouths in the wild. In captivity they can be fed crickets, earthworms, wax
worms and night crawlers. They can also occasionally be offered pinky mice.
Catching wild insects to feed your salamander can be risky as these insects may
contain pesticides and be harmful to your salamander. Because these salamanders
can be cannibalistic it is not recommended to house smaller salamanders with
larger salamanders.
Maintenance:
The enclosure should be spot cleaned as needed and
thoroughly cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis. A 5% bleach solution
makes an excellent disinfectant. It is extremely important to completely rinse
the enclosure and cage accessories so as to not poison the salamanders. Like
all amphibians, salamanders’ skin is very sensitive to the environment and the
oils and salts from your hands could harm your salamander. It is recommended to
handle these animals and little as possible and thoroughly wash your hands
before and after handling the salamander and any cage accessories. Fresh water
should be provided daily.
Other
references or recommended reading:
Bolyard,
Paula. “Tiger Salamander.” Retrieved 6/2/2003.
<http://home.neo.rr.com/edzoo/Scales/tiger_salamander.htm>
“Tiger
Salamanders.” Retrieved 6/2/2003.
<http://exoticpets.about.com/library/weekly/aa100200a.htm>
Edmonds,
Devin. “Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum).” Retrieved 6/2/2003.
<http://www.amphibiancare.com/frogs/tigersalamander.html>