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Care Sheet: Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)

Common Name: Spotted Salamander.

Scientific Name: Ambystoma maculatum.

Distribution: South-eastern Canada, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas.

Size: 15 - 25cm.

Sexing: Males tend to be slimmer than females, and also have more swollen cloaca.

Requirements: The Spotted Salamander is a large form of Salamander and therefore requires a rather large terrarium. A 15-gallon tank would be adequate for a single adult, where as a 20-gallon tank would be suitable 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. The water will need to be changed daily to avoid the build up of ammonia and bacteria in the water whilst changing the water it is a good idea to visually inspect the tank and remove, clean and replace any soiled items. 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. Once every two-three weeks the tank and its contents should be completely cleaned and sterilised using an amphibian / reptile 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 large earthworms, slugs, spiders, woodlice, regular mealworms, waxworms and crickets. The food items should be dusted with a calcium and vitamin supplement once a week.