Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm looking into their care as well, particularly the western species.(a. lugubris, ferreus, flavipuctatus) Does anyone keep them? Anyone know where I can purchase some? If all else fails I can look for some wild ones. What kind of habitat would I look for them in.(I'm in Oregon.) Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

I keep some. Unfortunately not enough are being bred in captivity for them to be on the market (yet). And the only species in OR is protected. You could take a trip south to CA and legally collect some lugibris. I keep them pretty much the same way I keep Ensatina.

Use caudata.org!

RUSS

How do you keep your Aneides and Ensatinas? I am particularly interested in temperature issues. I have done very well with other caudates but would love to keep both Aneides and Ensatina. I have always been reluctant because I've heard they are difficult. Any information on husbandry or field observations would be great.

Thanks,
Randy

I keep both in relatively identical set-ups. The container is a half size Tupperware storage box. The substrate is moist, but not perpetually damp, chipped pine bark. I place two clay pot bottoms upside down and with a chipped entrance, spaced about four inches apart. I place a large piece of pine bark on top and stretching between these to create additional cover. I keep a pair or trio in this type and size of set-up. As far as temps, they vary from 48F in the winter to 78F in the summer. I have a dedicated room, so it's easy to manipulate. This next winter I plan on refrigerating them for about a month at 40F.

I feed them crickets and wax worms. The crickets are dusted once a month.

RUSS