Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)

Short answers

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

80×40×30 cm.

Spotted salamander: What temperature does it need?

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

Spotted salamander: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Spotted salamander: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–25 years.

Spotted 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

80×40×30 cm

Substrate

Damp forest floor with leaf litter, bark hides, a shallow water dish

Feeding

Food

Earthworms, crickets, slugs

Feeding interval

2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

15–25 cm

Life expectancy

15–25 years

Origin

Eastern North America

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A winter rest of 12–16 weeks at 4–8 °C

Cohabitation

Keeping it singly is least stressful, since the species lives withdrawn and not very socially outside the brief breeding season. Small groups only with equally sized animals; always rear larvae separated by size because of the cannibalism risk.

Notes

A powerful, black-and-yellow spotted forest salamander. It lives hidden under leaves and deadwood almost all year – the furnishing has to offer thick ground layers. Very long-lived.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Anderson's salamander (Ambystoma andersoni) – Intermediate
• Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) – Beginner to intermediate
• Marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum) – 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 Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×30 cm), substrate (Damp forest floor with leaf litter, bark hides, 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.