Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Let me give a little background before I ask my question which may seem absurb to some. I recently bought my first European Fire Salamander but was not informed that she was a female nor that she was pregnant. Since this is my first amphibian, I am still learning! Therefore, much to my surprise about 3 weeks ago I had 14 new little Fires to care for. I have been doing so very well thus far I think. However, my question is this. Knowing that will be morphing soon, I need someone to please give me information about when I will know for certain when to take them from being completely aquatic to a semi-aquatic environment. I have a fear that I will not know when the time is right and that they will drown because I did not move them quickly enough. If anyone has anyone information that could help me, please let me know. April 8, 2014 will be the 4-week mark since their birth. Thank you in advance.

Candace

Hopefully this isn't too late.

I use to breed Eastern Newts for fun until it got to be too much, then I gave some to education, and returned the rest to the lake with surrounding wetlands that I acquired the adults from near my house. That is my experience and here is my point:

What I did, considering you only have 14 this should be easy, is a half and half enclosure. I set up a large 30 gallon holding tub (shallow and wide) with a self-made screen top -- really easy and I'll explain in a sec. I then filled the bottom with gravel and pushed it all to one side of the cage. This way, when the larvae were ready to become full-fledged efts, they could make the move to land without me being present. I added several clubs of "terrarium moss" bought in a box from my local pet store as well as some "frog moss" which was boxed sphagnum moss. I am pretty sure that you have figured out filtration and feeding by this point, not to mention your care is for a dif species. Basically just add gravel in an area that makes a gradual progression to an elevated land area.

Ok here is how I secured the top. I took the top of the 30 gallon tub and 4 inches in from the side and down from the top I made an incision with a strong pocket knife. I then took a saw (in this case also on the knife) and cut out an area on the lid of the tub. I then stapled a wire screen over the lid of the cage after making sure it was pulled tight and voila.

Hope this helps!

I realised my directions may not be 100% clear. When I refered to "4 inches down from the top" I meant holding just the lid in a vertical angle, 4 inches from the top of the lid and 4 inches in from the side of the lid. Don't make an incision on the side of the tub unless adding some filtering device otherwise making it escape proof and water proof gets in the "too hard category," at least for me.

Again, good luck.

Hi there!

I know this reply is about a week after your reply to my request for help but I wanted to thank you! I had found a website that described almost exactly what you did as far as setting up a morphing tank for them and I have since done so. I tend to forget to check my email and when I did so just yesterday I saw your reply and just wanted you to know I had not ignored your response! The 14 babies are still doing well and are growing so rapidly. I hope to see them begin to leave the water soon! So again, thank you! Take care!

Share your experiences and some pics! Never know if someone would need this down the road!

I'm actually planning on doing just that! I've got 8 of the 14 that have thus far morphed. I working on now trying to get them to begin to eat. As soon as I get them stabilized, I'm going to post pictures and post what all I've done to raise them! It's been one heck of a learning experience!