I was thinking of starting my own vivarium/paulidarium (the one with half water and half land, or any other percentage) I want to keep some salamanders that I would find in my woods and backyard. I would also like to keep a red eft in there if I could. Could anyone suggest a set-up that won't cost that much. (I just bought a fish tank and am now pretty broke.) The tank can be any size. I also want to keep some fish in there, but I don't want to spend alot on filter/heater/etc. I want it to be a natural look because I don't really like the shiny colors and everything. Oh yeah, one more question; would it be ok if I caught all the animals in the wild, (except for the fish if I have to buy them at a store. ) It is ok with my towns wildlife office. I live in Massachusetts, by the way, if that will affect my selection in the wild. All help will be greatly appreciated.
starting a vivarium
- Thread starter Deep_Water
- Start date
Siren
Mythological Creature
Well, since you live in Mass, you wouldn't have to worry about a heater. Salamanders that you're going to find out in the forest are used to the cold weather and heater would probably make them too warm. Can you find a photo of the salamanders in your woods? It would help us to tell you exactly what they need as far as habitat requirements. That information can also tell us if the animals are legal to catch in the wild.
I'm not sure about MA's laws regarding wild collection. I know where I live, there are many many laws on what can be collected and what can't be collected.
Wild caught individuals also have more trouble with parasites and getting them to accept a captive diet.
See if you can get us a photo...or look here and see if you can find one that looks like it: http://www.lacertilia.com/photos/salamanders/ (click on the photo to make it larger)
I'm not sure about MA's laws regarding wild collection. I know where I live, there are many many laws on what can be collected and what can't be collected.
Wild caught individuals also have more trouble with parasites and getting them to accept a captive diet.
See if you can get us a photo...or look here and see if you can find one that looks like it: http://www.lacertilia.com/photos/salamanders/ (click on the photo to make it larger)
These are the ones that I can find around my house, in the woods, etc.
Blue Spotted Salamander
Dusky Salamander
Two Lined Salamander
Spring Salamander
Four Toed Salamander
Red backed Salamander
Red Eft
Eastern Newt
Blue Spotted Salamander
Dusky Salamander
Two Lined Salamander
Spring Salamander
Four Toed Salamander
Red backed Salamander
Red Eft
Eastern Newt
Im not completely sure (actually not sure at all) but from what ia remember, red efts are slightly poisonous. So a mix of them might affect the other types of salamanders or fish you plan to put in the tank? Red efts eventually turn into newts(im pretty sure on that) so they might affect the fish you put in there.