Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I found one on the dock by my work. I heard it was supposed to be freezing in the night. I thought it was dead but it wriggled. I didn't think it was going to make it to where he was going. I heard it it supposed to be very cold d/the weekend. I know I know. So I took him home. He is surrently in a plastic thing on top of my 75 gal. The heat is a heat lamp next to his tank as the lamp is for my 75 gal. I'll be watching the forecasts as far as temps go to see if I can release him soon. If not, I'll wait till the spring. I have him set up w/a mix of dirt & debris from a nearby area potting soil and a couple slabs of rotting wood by my house and a water dish w/ a rock in it for weight and so he can climb out in case he falls in. I put in a couple of crickets. I soaked all the dirt & stuff for like a half hour to drown any buggers
I don't want to protect my other animals. In case I have to
keep him till spring, I have some questions.

Is a 16" by 10" by 3"high terrarium enough(He's not even 3"total) space? Do I need direct heat(Obviously very low amt)?
His cage is a couple inches from the lamp going in my 75 gal.
Both the cage and the lamp are resting on the screen of my 75 gal. The lamp is not directed towards the spotted's cage.

Can I feed crickets as long as they're small enough?
Are they're any other insects I can feed that are easily purchased/found? I saw on one site I can feed small earthworms. Do I need to supplement as I would w/ reptiles' foods? I have some supplemented items for the crickets to eat.

any help would be appreciated.

The heat lamp will kill him. He would have been fine where he was. You need to keep him at 68F or under.

He'll eat earthworms and crickets just fine. Keep him in a container/tank with moist soil.

Yes, ditto what Nimbus said for sure. Especially pay attention like he's saying to the temps staying on the cooler side! I'd also like to add just from experience with this particular salamander...Keep in mind that they like to hide alot. They live up to their "mole salamander" name. I'm sure that there's exceptions to every rule though, but mine are rarely seen and when they are it's usually at night.

You know, I posted a question about a week ago asking if anyone could get me a Spotted Salamander for the study I'm doing. So, if you don't want it, you could send it to me. Otherwise, feed it worms and/or crickets have the tank moist and they don't need much/if any heat. Or a light. Email- Helmz614@aol.com
Michael Fedzen

>>You know, I posted a question about a week ago asking if anyone could get me a Spotted Salamander for the study I'm doing. So, if you don't want it, you could send it to me. Otherwise, feed it worms and/or crickets have the tank moist and they don't need much/if any heat. Or a light. Email- Helmz614@aol.com
>>Michael Fedzen

Hi Michael Fedzen,

I think one reason people have not responded to your request for an animal is you have mentioned nothing about the study are you going to perform on the animal, which institution you work for, etc.

Also, kingsnake.com forums is not a place to post what you're looking for. You can post in the kingsnake.com classifieds, which costs money, or try posting on www.caudata.org forums in their classifieds, which is free. Kingsnake.com has some rules when you sign up, one includes not posting want ads or for sale ads, so that could be another reason why you're not getting much/any feedback.

-----
Hope my opinions help,
Rob

Oh your doing what lots do that arent familiar with salamanders.They confuse them with lizards.Salamanders as a whole HATE heat they need it cool/moist.Spotted sallys need it cool under 68 pref atleast get it away from your heatlamp and in a cool part of house.They avoid light to.