North African fire salamander (Salamandra algira)

Short answers

North African fire salamander: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×40×40 cm.

North African fire salamander: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 12–20 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 8–15 °C.

North African fire salamander: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

North African fire salamander: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–25 years.

North African fire salamander: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

12–20 °C

Night temperature

8–15 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

75–90 %

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×40 cm

Substrate

Damp forest floor with leaf litter, a cork hide, a shallow water dish

Feeding

Food

Earthworms, slugs, crickets

Feeding interval

2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

15–25 cm

Life expectancy

15–25 years

Origin

Morocco, Algeria – montane forest

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; threatened regionally

Brumation

A cooler rest period 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

More colourful than the European fire salamander, sometimes with red head markings. A summer rest rather than a genuine winter rest – a dry, cool rhythm matches its home climate.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for North African fire salamander (Salamandra algira) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Alpine salamander (Salamandra atra) – Expert
• Fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) – Beginner to intermediate
• Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex) – Intermediate
• Anderson's crocodile newt (Echinotriton andersoni) – Expert
• Anderson's salamander (Ambystoma andersoni) – Intermediate
• Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) – Beginner to intermediate
• Alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris) – Beginner
• Blue-tailed fire-bellied newt (Cynops cyanurus) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep North African fire salamander (Salamandra algira) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×40 cm), substrate (Damp forest floor with leaf litter, a cork 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.