Tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum)

Short answers

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

For one animal from ~60–80×40×40 cm; for a group of three ~100×40×40 cm; substrate they can dig in plus a water dish.

Tiger salamander: What temperature does it need?

Daytime cool: 15–20 °C (not permanently above 22 °C), at night 10–18 °C.

Tiger salamander: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential (nocturnal, burrowing).

Tiger salamander: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 15–25 years (very long-lived).

Tiger salamander: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

cool: 15–20 °C (not permanently above 22 °C)

Night temperature

10–18 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

high and humid (damp substrate)

UVB

UVB not essential (nocturnal, burrowing)

Enclosure

Minimum size

for one animal from ~60–80×40×40 cm; for a group of three ~100×40×40 cm; substrate they can dig in plus a water dish

Substrate

Loose, at least 10 cm deep (coco, forest soil, moss, leaf litter), damp – the animals bury themselves

Feeding

Food

Earthworms, insects, snails, maggots; large adults occasionally a pinkie

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles more often

Key facts

Adult size

20–30 cm (up to over 35 cm), heavily built

Life expectancy

approx. 15–25 years (very long-lived)

Origin

North America (the USA, southern Canada, northern Mexico)

Protection status

No CITES protection; captive-bred animals are freely tradable

Brumation

A winter rest of ~2–3 months at 4–8 °C is recommended (it benefits health and breeding)

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is preferable. Group keeping is possible only with similarly sized animals, but be careful: cannibalism and bite injuries occur mainly around feeding (they snap at anything that moves). Never keep animals of different sizes; feed them separately.

Notes

Common mistakes: too warm (it is heat-sensitive!), overfeeding (obesity), and housing animals of different sizes together. Burrowing, usually hidden, and long-lived. A keen feeder that can bite while being fed. Keep it cool and humid.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Anderson's salamander (Ambystoma andersoni) – Intermediate
• Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) – Beginner to intermediate
• Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) – Intermediate
• Marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum) – Intermediate
• 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 Tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (for one animal from ~60–80×40×40 cm; for a group of three ~100×40×40 cm; substrate they can dig in plus a water dish), substrate (Loose, at least 10 cm deep (coco, forest soil, moss, leaf litter), damp – the animals bury themselves), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.