The marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum) is a 3.5-4.3” long, nocturnal, terrestrial amphibian. They are native to the eastern United States south of Massachusetts, although they are absent from the Appalachians and peninsular Florida. Their preferred habitat is damp woodlands, where they hide under debris and inside abandoned animal burrows.
Marbled salamanders have typical salamander bodies with a large head, bulging eyes, robust stature, small limbs, and a thick, tapered tail. They are easily recognizable with their black base color and silver to white banded markings.
Marbled salamanders are beginner-level pet amphibians due to their small size and general hardiness. With good care, they should live at least 8 years.
Note: Marbled salamanders may be very common in the US, but you should never take them from the wild to keep as pets! If you want a pet marbled salamander, please purchase one from a breeder.
Minimum terrarium size for marbled salamanders
The absolute minimum terrarium size for a marbled salamander is 24”L x 18”W x 12”H (20 gallons). Of course, larger is always better if you can manage it! Offering more space means you can provide a more varied landscape and more room for the salamander to explore and exercise. They will definitely take advantage of the extra space!
Cohabitation (keeping multiple marbled salamanders in the same enclosure) is not recommended.
Do marbled salamanders need UVB?
Marbled salamanders seem to be able to survive without it, but we still recommend providing appropriate UVB lighting as part of the setup. UVB lighting helps provide a clear day/night cycle, provides all of the vitamin D that your pet needs, strengthens the immune system, facilitates better digestion, and provides other benefits.
The best UVB bulb for a marbled salamander in a 12” tall enclosure is likely to be the Arcadia ShadeDweller Pro T5! Don’t forget to replace your bulb every 12 months!
UVB is blocked by glass and plastic, so placing the terrarium in front of a window doesn’t count as “free UVB” — in fact it can make your terrarium too hot due to the greenhouse effect.
Lights should be on for 14 hours/day during summer and 10 hours/day during winter.
Best temperature for marbled salamanders
Like other amphibians, marbled salamanders are cold-blooded, which means that they rely on external temperatures to manage their own body temperature and metabolism. They do best between 65-75°F. Temperatures should never exceed 86°F. Make sure you’re maintaining appropriate temperatures with a digital probe thermometer.
Heating equipment is unlikely to be necessary for keeping this species.
Best humidity levels for marbled salamanders
As amphibians, marbled salamanders can’t live without a sufficiently moist environment! Average air humidity should stay between 50-80%. Humidity should be measured via digital probe hygrometer, with the probe placed in the middle of the terrarium. The substrate should be kept fairly damp, but not soggy or muddy.
Marbled salamanders are poor swimmers, so it’s best not to provide a pool of water as part of a marbled salamander enclosure.
Best substrate for marbled salamanders
Providing a thick layer of naturalistic substrate (“bedding”) will help maintain correct humidity levels and helps make your enclosure more attractive! We recommend the following substrates for marbled salamanders:
- Zoo Med ReptiSoil
- Zoo Med Eco Earth
- Exo Terra Plantation Soil
Remove poop and urates daily, along with contaminated substrate. Substrate should be totally replaced every 2 months if you are not running a bioactive setup.
How to decorate a marbled salamander terrarium
A bare-bones enclosure makes for a stressed salamander, reducing its quality of life. Keep your pet entertained and engaged with its environment with the strategic use of décor items that encourage it to exercise natural behaviors!
Décor options for marbled salamanders include:
- leaf litter
- mopani wood
- cork bark
- rocks
- live or artificial plants
- pre-made hides/caves
- artificial ornaments
Make sure your salamander has covered areas to retreat to when it wants privacy.
What to feed to a marbled salamander
Marbled salamanders are insectivorous, which means that they need to eat live insect prey in order to get the right nutrition. Your salamander should be fed 2x/week, as much as it will eat in roughly 5 minutes. Feeders should be smaller than the salamander’s head.
Food options for marbled salamanders:
- Crickets
- Dubia roach nymphs
- Earthworms
- Hornworms
- Silkworms
Marbled salamanders are unlikely to show interest in pre-killed prey.
Supplements
You will need to keep calcium and multivitamin supplements on hand to help prevent your pet from developing a nutritional deficiency, helping them live healthier. We recommend Repashy Calcium Plus LoD, lightly dusted on prey before offering. When we talk about dusting food for them to eat we mean a very light dusting, not like powdered doughnuts!
How to handle your marbled salamander
Amphibians generally don’t appreciate petting and handling in the same way that dogs and cats do, and marbled salamanders are generally a hands-off pet.
If you absolutely have to grab your salamander, wear a pair of nitrile gloves, use a small fish net, and gently guide the salamander into a separate, well-secured container. This minimizes likelihood of escape or injury. And of course, make sure to wash your hands after working with your pet or its enclosure!
*This care sheet contains only very basic information. Although it’s a good introduction, please further your research with high-quality sources. The more you know, the better you will be able to care for your pet!
