Amphibians
Tiger salamander care guide
Ambystoma tigrinum
A large, hardy burrowing salamander that becomes a bold feeder.
Fossorial — deep substrate for burrowing
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Tiger salamander enclosure size
Fossorial — deep substrate for burrowing. An adult tiger salamander should live in at least 30" 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 30" L × 12" W × 12" H
Temperature and heating
No heat needed; keep below 72°F — warmth is the main risk.
- Basking / warm surface
- No basking spot
- Warm side (ambient)
- 62–70°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 60–65°F
- Night
- 55–65°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 70–80%. Damp deep substrate and a shallow water dish.
Substrate and depth
Coco fiber or topsoil mix. Depth: 4–6 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.
Tiger salamander FAQ
How big should an adult Tiger salamander enclosure be?
At least 30" 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. Fossorial — deep substrate for burrowing.
What temperatures does a Tiger salamander need?
Basking or warm surface No basking spot, warm side 62–70°F, cool side 60–65°F, night 55–65°F. No heat needed; keep below 72°F — warmth is the main risk.
Does a Tiger salamander need UVB?
Not required. Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Tiger salamander need?
70–80%. Damp deep substrate and a shallow water dish.
What substrate is best for a Tiger salamander?
Coco fiber or topsoil mix, at a depth of 4–6 in.
How big does a Tiger 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.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own tiger salamander record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.