Marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum)

Short answers

Marbled salamander: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60×40×30 cm.

Marbled salamander: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 14–21 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 10–16 °C.

Marbled salamander: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Marbled salamander: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Marbled salamander: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

14–21 °C

Night temperature

10–16 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

75–90 %

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×40×30 cm

Substrate

Damp forest floor with a thick layer of leaf litter, a bark hide, a shallow water dish

Feeding

Food

Earthworms, crickets, isopods

Feeding interval

2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

9–12 cm

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

The eastern USA

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A cooler spell of 10–14 weeks

Cohabitation

A group. Only put together animals of the same species and roughly the same size — smaller ones will otherwise be treated as food. Offer enough hiding places so that every animal can retreat, and feed them separately when they differ in size.

Notes

Black with silver-white cross bands. Unlike most mole salamanders it lays its eggs on land in dried-out hollows. Terrestrial – no large water section is needed.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

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Related species

• Anderson's salamander (Ambystoma andersoni) – Intermediate
• Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) – Beginner to intermediate
• Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) – Intermediate
• Tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) – Beginner
• Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex) – Intermediate
• Alpine salamander (Salamandra atra) – Expert
• Anderson's crocodile newt (Echinotriton andersoni) – Expert
• Alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×40×30 cm), substrate (Damp forest floor with a thick layer of leaf litter, a bark hide, a shallow water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.