Ideal spotted salamander home

i have a 4" spotted salamander that ive had for about 7 months since it was maybe 2". I have it in a large critter keeper about 17"x 12" maybe 7" high. Its filled with moss that i keep quite moist and have a water dish that isnt that big or deep. Hes been growing well and eating well but i want to know their ideal set up (besides the wild). How aquatic are these guys really should i have a lot more water and less land?

all comments welcome. thank you

They aren't aquatic except during breeding season. For the short time the visit the vernal pools they are aquatic but after that they are terrestrial. they stay under damp logs/underground for the rest of the year. i would say a damp substrate, moss and lots of hides in probably a 10-20 gallon tank would be perfect. They don't need anything larger than a 20 gal for sure.

hope that helps

~mike

awww.. I LOVE salamanders!!!

yea il prob keep em where he his now until he gets to be 7"+. yea salamanders rock this is one of my favorite pets and i have a lot.

I love spotteds. :) I kept one for several years; I used coconut fiber as a substrate and kept it damp (not sopping wet.) I loved how he would grab and shake the crickets before eating them. :)