Scientific Name: Ambystoma tigrinum.
Common Names: Eastern Tiger Salamander, Tiger Salamander.
Distribution: New York southward to Florida, and west to Nebraska, Kansas & Texas.
Size: 17 - 35cm (7 - 14").
Sexing: Males tend to be slimmer than females, and also have more swollen cloaca.
Colouration: The dorsum ranges from a dark brown to greyish-black marked with irregular brown to yellow spots or blotches.
Requirements: These Salamanders are a large form of Salamander and require a rather large terrarium. A 15-gallon tank would be adequate for a single adult, where as a 20-gallon tank would be suitable for housing a pair. They require a woodland type set-up with a deep substrate of damp coco-humus, peat, top-soil and moss. Furnishings such as logs, cork bark, flat rocks and sturdy leafed plants can be arranged to provide a number of hiding places. A shallow water bowl must be provided with clean de-chlorinated or spring water. If kept indoors away from frost and freezing temperatures the tank will not usually require additional heating. A low wattage fluorescent tube should be used as a light source although this is not strictly necessary.
Maintenance: Water will need changing daily to avoid the build up of ammonia and bacteria. Whilst changing the water it is a good idea to spot clean the tank and remove, clean, and replace any soiled items. At least once a month the entire terrarium and it's contents should be striped, cleaned, and sterilized using an amphibian friendly disinfectant.
Feeding: Juvenile Salamanders should be fed daily with a mixture of suitably sized insects including small earthworms, slugs, and mini-mealworms, the food items should be dusted with a calcium and vitamin supplement two-three times a week. Adult Salamanders should be fed every two-three days with a mixture of large earthworms, slugs, spiders, woodlice, regular mealworms, waxworms, crickets, and may even take pinkie mice, the food items should be dusted with a calcium and vitamin supplement once a week.
