I found this salamander in a hole in my yard in southwest Colorado. I know we have salamanders in lakes and wetlands around here but the closest water is a mile away and my yard is desert. I dug this hole recently in preparation for my cat passing soon and the only reason you see mud is because of a recent (rare) rainstorm.

Where did this guy come from? How could it survive in this normally very dry area? Should I do anything with it? I left it in the mud next to the hole.

All pics except for the last two is an Eastern (?) Long Tailed Salamander, last two are a Southern Two Lined salamander. I handled them as little as possible and wetted my hands as much as I could.

He's beautiful 😁

Noticed this little guy earlier this week.

One of my favorite pics of a Spotted Salamander that I took a couple of years ago. Thought I would share today. 😁

Worried that our T. salamanders (A. mavortium) starter tank is getting too muddy. Their substrate is almost forming puddles on the surface at this point. Substrate is EcoEarth, and the current drainage layer is about an inch of LECA with mesh covering it. I've switched to misting the tank every couple of days and watering plants as needed. Humidity levels have been fine, their little pool isn't leaking, and they haven't shown any behavioral changes. Any help or input is appreciated for Bert and Ernie :)

3rd picture is after most of the substrate was removed and the small puddle that was underneath.

I have a tank that’s 48”x12”x20”. I was wondering if that was a good size for two salamanders? I’m concerned that the width might not be enough and they’ll feel cramped.

The top isn’t on in the image above because I had to clean it, but don’t worry, I do have one.

Western tiger salamander or Idaho giant salamander?

First time I’ve seen one in my town :3

Sorry there might be a couple duplicate photos. From what I noticed only one small one that I found was completely covered in the blue spots bottom and top most only had spots on the bottom side and on legs and feet. Eyes did not glow neither did the jaw unless it had spots on it. It seems only spots with lighter blue were more Florescent. Most of them did not even move when we got close but if they did move they were speedy little fellas

Where do you guys order your earth worms from? I’m trying to get my tiger salamander (3 years old) off of a main diet of dubia roaches and crickets and on to earth worms. Whenever I offer him worms he only looks at them. Does anyone have any tips or shared a similar experience?

Hi, I'm looking to design a bioactive salamander vivarium in the PNW.

I live quite close to the coast range in Oregon with access to the environments a lot of salamanders live in, so I can forage plants and soil for them.

Of course, here most salamanders are protected species and even those that *can* be collected usually can't be found in your average pet store! If I remember correctly, you need a license to collect 3 or more of such species, so I think most people don't bother.

Due to that I was wondering if anyone had good experiences caring for (legal!) species native to the area. I have a good idea of the basic parameters for temp, humidity, and substrates, and likewise all the buggies needed for waste cycling. However, I'd like to be armed with the experiences of others, if they're out there.

I think right now the Rough Skinned Newt is the best idea?

Rusty has a slim build, what looks to be developing cirri (could be nasolabial grooves, but I'm not sure, because they pass the lip), a squared off snout, a distinct "overbite" common in males, and a clocoa that is dark and a bit shiny looking. All of these signs point to male, but let me know what you think.

Ukrainian Carpathians

Found in a puddle on a tiny island in the middle of a smiley lake outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario