All About Tiger Salamander
The tiger salamander, also known as the spotted salamander, is a common salamander species found throughout much of North America. They are typically nocturnal and are often found hiding in caves, rocks, and other shelters. They will often ambush their victims unaware and allow their victims to escape. They will also surprise their prey with a sudden attack, biting or squeezing their game and dragging it into burrows or other den places.
They have large, club-shaped jaws that can tear through wood and other soft objects. Often their mouths are lined with rows of sharp teeth for chewing. If they cannot tear apart their prey, they will usually bite it and then force it to squeeze its prey base with their jaws. After sucking the blood out of their game, the salamanders’ heads will often move side to drain all the blood from their mouth.
Unlike most other species of salamanders, the tiger salamander will often kill its prey by squeezing its prey’s body with its front claws and dragging the game through the burrow. This is how they catch and kill their prey. Their speed and strength often make them the fastest salamanders in the field. They can run at speeds of up to 12 miles per hour.
A sight of a tiger salamander can be very entertaining. They usually grow to about two to three inches long when fully grown. Some specimens can grow to even four feet in length. With a thick hide, they are not too afraid of hunters and can even stand up to them if they are threatened.
Because of their aggression and thirst for freshwater, a tiger salamander should be trapped immediately. One will have to restrain the salamander while cutting off its head, not to try to bite the hand that holds it. Once the salamander has been secured, you can gently separate the salamander into two parts.
After a Tiger Salamander is separated from its clutch (if it has one), hold both the salamander parts between your thumb and forefinger and gently squeeze. The juices from its mouth should seep out from between your fingers. This is the first step in catching a tiger salamander. The salamander should not be disturbed while placed inside a vial of water with a bit of salt.
After the salamander has been split in half, drag it across the floor of your enclosure to the spot where you would like to capture it. If the tiger salamander tries to escape, pinch its two legs with the forefinger and hold them firmly. Once the salamander stops trying to escape, place it slowly in the vial of water with salt. The salamander will enter a state of hibernation. It will emerge a few days later as if nothing had happened.
One may also choose to catch a tiger salamander by hand. If one approaches a Tiger Salamander on foot, it will most likely run away. One should also be careful when handling it since it is an amphibian and will naturally jump. Once captured, the tiger salamander will stay in that spot until you remove it from the water.
When a young tiger salamander is captured and brought home, will give it food and a little water daily. Do not feed it too often since it can become obese. If you notice that the salamander has become too big, you may need to transfer it to a tank with a more significant-sized salamander. Some parents prefer to rear their young salamanders in tanks with adults, but it is not essential. The adult may have to be kept on hand for emergencies.
A single tiger salamander can live for up to three years. They are excellent climbers, so that they can squeeze through small spaces. You may have trouble getting them to climb into a small aquarium. If they are allowed to get out, they may attack other salamanders or even eat small animals. They do not have much of a fighting instinct, but they will defend themselves aggressively when necessary.
Like most amphibians, tiger salamanders will need to be offered plenty of fresh water every day. They should also have access to the dry substrate. They can survive in the wild with just wood shavings as bedding, but they will not do well in tanks or containers. They can tolerate most conditions, provided they are well cared for. They will not thrive without a high quality of care, and it is essential to make sure that they get enough water, food, and warmth daily. They also like to have a small amount of exercise daily.
