Amphibians
Fire salamander care guide
Salamandra salamandra
A long-lived black-and-yellow European salamander that needs cool temperatures.
Terrestrial — floor space first
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Fire salamander enclosure size
Terrestrial — floor space first. An adult fire salamander should live in at least 24" L × 12" W × 12" H; we build toward 36" L × 18" W × 18" H (3 × 1.5 × 1.5 ft, roughly 4.5 sq ft of floor and about a 50-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 12" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 24" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 18" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 36" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended · min 24" L × 12" W × 12" H
Temperature and heating
No heat needed; keep below 70°F.
- Basking / warm surface
- No basking spot
- Warm side (ambient)
- 60–68°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 55–62°F
- Night
- 50–60°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Not required. Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 70–90%. Damp substrate with moss and leaf litter, plus a shallow water dish.
Substrate and depth
Soil/coco with moss and leaf litter. Depth: 3–4 in.
Diet and feeding
Earthworms, dusted crickets and roaches 2–3 times a week.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Hides on both the warm and cool sides
- Clean water available at all times
- Clutter — cork, leaf litter, plants — for cover
Build list
- Enclosure at adult size — Buy for the adult footprint to avoid repeated upgrades.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly.
Fire salamander FAQ
How big should an adult Fire salamander enclosure be?
At least 24" L × 12" W × 12" H, and we recommend building to 36" L × 18" W × 18" H — about 3 × 1.5 × 1.5 ft, or a 50-gallon glass equivalent. Terrestrial — floor space first.
What temperatures does a Fire salamander need?
Basking or warm surface No basking spot, warm side 60–68°F, cool side 55–62°F, night 50–60°F. No heat needed; keep below 70°F.
Does a Fire salamander need UVB?
Not required. Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Fire salamander need?
70–90%. Damp substrate with moss and leaf litter, plus a shallow water dish.
What substrate is best for a Fire salamander?
Soil/coco with moss and leaf litter, at a depth of 3–4 in.
How big does a Fire salamander enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 12" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 12" L × 12" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Is there anything to be careful about when keeping a Fire salamander?
Do not mix with other salamanders or newts — imported Salamandra can carry Bsal (chytrid), which is lethal to newts and salamanders. Buy captive-bred only.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own fire salamander record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.