Any tips for setting up a small herpatarium?

Question

My son is interested in keeping a newt or salamander. I'm thinking about a small (10-20 gallon aquarium) home for it. Any links or advice on setting this up?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Newts can live a long time with proper care. This includes good water condtions, good food varity, and proper water temps. how to set one up depends because some newts/salamanders are mostly aquatic and some are semi-aquatic. For the mostly aquatic one you will want a tank with water and and a basking area were the animal can get out of the water. In a semi aquatic you will want it to be 50% water 50% land. For aquatic newt it is nice to get a small filter to reduce the number of time you will have to change the water and keep your water qualty good. Some live fresh-water aquaium plants make good hide spot of them. For a 50/50 tank a hind box on the land and some plants on the land are nice. Newts can under and over heat you want to keep them away from vents and windows. Newt and salamaders eat thawed blood worms, daphnia, and brine shrimp. Which can all be bought at your local pet store.  Larger newts and salamanders may eat crickets and guppies.

Answer 2

honestly it depends on the type of salamander you are going to get. most popular in the pet trade is the tiger salamander and fire belly newts. personally i have a fire bellied newt and they are very easy to care for. they do not require warm water and mostly are aquatic.

you will most likely get a chinese fire belly newt in the pet trade. the 10 gallon tank could house three. they like non moving water, and a small area to get out on to dry off occasionally. personally my newt is very aquatic and never chooses to get out.

also popular is the oregon newt (aka rough skinned newt) they get to be about 4-5 inches and prefer more of a dirt based tank, with a little bit of water on one end to get wet in.

i love oregon newts, very cool. i'd suggest that, but fire belly newts are much more availible.

Answer 3

Children become very attached to pets. A pep talk regarding demise of said newt maybe beneficial prior to purchase.

A goldfish was found floating in the goldfish bowl. I did the honorable thing, scooped it out and flushed it down the lavatory. Snotty considers me an evil woman for it.

I have not allowed any pets since the death of the fish.

Answer 4

Well,Newts and salamanders are not the best pets they die in a short period of time.

And a 10gal. will be just fine.

Get a heat pad,Heat rock,Heat Lamp.any of those will be fine

I Would suggest you get a Anole,Or Gecko there allot better

Answer 5

go to http://www.anapsid.org/sallies.html

i just searched google and it gives very good basic information that you would need. i like it for newt to be in a 10 because it makes it easyer to keep an eye on. 5 1/2 in lamps(2), gravel, if you have tap water-you need a conditioner, a lid, a good ceramic dish to be above the water, and a good perch. plastic or ceramic logs are good. no real wood. makes the cleaning and up keep easy. also, make sure he would be able to get all his vitamins. good luck