Scientific Name: Ambystoma opacum.
Common Names: Marbled Salamander.
Distribution: Eastern North America.
Size: 9 - 12cm.
Sexing: Males tend to be slimmer than females, and also have more swollen cloaca. The pale silver-grey bands are often brighter and more noticeable in males.
Colouration: A dark grey to black background with grey-silver bands on the dorsum, with a plain black belly.
Requirements: The Marbled Salamander is a fairly small form of Ambystomatidae and therefore requires a little less space than many other species in its family. A 15-gallon tank would be adequate for housing a pair. They require a woodland type set-up with a deep substrate of damp coco-humus, peat, top-soil and moss for burrowing. Furnishings such as logs, cork bark, flat rocks and sturdy leafed plants can be arranged to provide a number of hiding places. A shallow water bowl must be provided with clean de-chlorinated or spring water. If kept indoors away from frost and freezing temperatures the tank will not usually require additional heating. A low wattage fluorescent tube should be used as a light source although this is not strictly necessary.
Maintenance: Water will need changing daily to avoid the build up of ammonia and bacteria. Whilst changing the water it is a good idea to spot clean the tank and remove, clean, and replace any soiled items. At least once a month the entire terrarium and it's contents should be striped, cleaned, and sterilized using an amphibian friendly disinfectant.
Feeding: Juvenile Salamanders should be fed daily with a mixture of suitably sized insects including small earthworms, whiteworm, slugs, and mini mealworms, the food items should be dusted with a calcium and vitamin supplement two-three times a week. Adult Salamanders should be fed every two-three days with a mixture of earthworms, slugs, spiders, woodlice, regular mealworms, waxworms and crickets. The food items should be dusted with a calcium and vitamin supplement once a week.
