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Fire Salamander
Salamandra salamandra
Jet black splashed with brilliant yellow — the classic 'fire salamander' of legend, and a laid-back, long-lived pet.
6–12 in15–20 years
Habitat
Enclosure
20 gal long with deep substrate
Temperature
60–68°F — the coolest common pet
Humidity / Water
70%+, moist substrate
Heating & lighting
No heater — heat is the enemy: keep them below 72°F. Cool, well-drained forest floor setup with hides, bark, and a shallow water dish.
Diet
Feed these
- Earthworms — staple food
- Crickets
- Small dubia roaches
- Snails
Never feed
- Temperatures above 72°F — heat stress
- Deep water
- Handling — wash hands before and after
- Warm room setups
Feed 2–3 times a week. Unlike most salamanders, females give birth to live aquatic larvae — breeding pairs need a water area.
Cohabitation
Can live with
Other fire salamanders — same size
Never house with
Tropical species kept too warm Frogs Any fish Tiger salamanders — toxin and disease mismatch
Same-species groups work in large cool tanks. Never mix with warm-loving species — one of you will lose.
