Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi there:

I recently ordered a fire salamander from Reptile Depot. I named it Montag. Montag arrived immediately overnight, and is doing great. He is not shy at all, and ate right away. He loves to climb up my arm and curl up in my hand. He is huge! I made him a 10-gallon vivarium, and wated to share a cool new idea that I thought up.
I am keeping him near the air conditioner at the entrance of my reptile room in low light conditions, but the temperature was over 70 degrees. So I needed to find a new way to keep the tank cool. That's when I invented my own "drip system/ chiller." I placed ice cubes on the screen lid, and slowly, they melted. Cold water gently splashed onto the cork, leaves and into the water pool.
Montag loved it. He placed his head below the refreshing "shower." The temperature is now 62 degrees. Just thought it was a cool idea.

DAVE

i know it may seem like harmless fun handling your salamander, but the thing is, it is harmful to both of you. the pores on his skin soak up anything it comes in contact with. sort of like a sponge. so, if you just washed your hands, you may still have some soap on them (even if you rinsed well) and that will get in his body - not good. even sweat, it's all salty, and he doesnt like that. the temperature difference too - he is cold blooded, his body temperature is that of his surroundings, and yours is about 98.6 degrees, if youre healthy. that is scorching for a salamander. for you: he secretes a poison from those pores on his back when he is frightened - if you eat him, he tastes bad, and you spit him out, and he lives another day while you get sick. if you handle him, and wipe your eye, nose mouth, or any sort of mucous membrane, that poison will get into youre system - not healthy.

anyways, i recently got a fire salamander too (my first pet salamnder) and i named him Bud. not like the beer or marijuana. just bud. i use the ice bag trick too (or do you not use bags?). it gets really hot in my room, because the AC isnt installed yet, so thats my thing to do: it usually lowers the temp about 2-3 degrees per ziplock sandwich sized bag. like you were saying, about the dripping on his head, i do that too. i get a mister bottle, and spray gently, so either one or two dromps come out at a time, all over his body. this is actually how i bathe him, because he doesnt completley submerge himself in the water dish. right now i am working on setting up a nice, um, set up. i have him alone in a 20 long, i want to get another fire salamander, a lady salamander this time. ive gos some good ideas.

i hope this helps, or did you not ask any questions? thats ADD for you...

btw, where did you order yours from and what as the cost? mine was $25 at a local pet-store's "half-off going out of business" sale. good deal. have fun

-brendan

That is a technique that has been used for years. Yes, it does work, but is labor intensive. Must keep supplying new ice cubes as they melt. Have FUN