Amphibians on Herpeton Academy

Ambystoma maculatum — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Ambystoma maculatum · Ambystoma maculatum · Spotted salamander

📋 At a glance


Adult size	11-25 cm
Lifespan	10-20 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Eastern North American deciduous and mixed forests with vernal pools used for breeding.
Activity	Nocturnal
Difficulty	Intermediate
Legal	CITES: not listed; EU: not listed; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
No rough decor that damages delicate skin

💡 Lighting

Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
Keep a stable day-night rhythm
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: not used

Ambystoma mavortium — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Ambystoma mavortium · Ambystoma mavortium · Barred tiger salamander

📋 At a glance


Adult size	20-35 cm
Lifespan	10-20 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Central and western North America, especially grassland, prairie, semi-arid basins, and seasonal breeding
Activity	Nocturnal
Difficulty	Beginner
Legal	CITES: not listed; EU: not listed; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
No rough decor that damages delicate skin

💡 Lighting

Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
Keep a stable day-night rhythm
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: not used

Ambystoma tigrinum — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Ambystoma tigrinum · Ambystoma tigrinum · Tiger salamander · Eastern tiger salamander

📋 At a glance


Adult size	17-33 cm
Lifespan	10-20 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Ambystoma tigrinum is native to parts of the United States and southern Canada, with regional limits depending on the current species-complex treatment.
Activity	Nocturnal
Difficulty	Beginner
Legal	CITES: not listed; EU: not listed; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
No rough decor that damages delicate skin

💡 Lighting

Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
Keep a stable day-night rhythm
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: 18-22 °C

Axolotl — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Ambystoma mexicanum · Axolotl · Axolotl · Mexican walking fish

📋 At a glance


Adult size	23-30 cm
Lifespan	10-15 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Ambystoma mexicanum is native to the Xochimilco lake and canal system around Mexico City, with the wild range now extremely restricted.
Activity	Cathemeral
Difficulty	Intermediate
Legal	CITES: Appendix II; EU: Annex B; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
No rough decor that damages delicate skin

💡 Lighting

Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
Keep a stable day-night rhythm
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: 16-18 °C

Bombina orientalis — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Bombina orientalis · Bombina orientalis · Oriental fire-bellied toad · Fire-bellied toad

📋 At a glance


Adult size	4-6 cm
Lifespan	10-15 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Bombina orientalis is native to northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula and nearby parts of Russia.
Activity	Diurnal
Difficulty	Beginner
Legal	CITES: not listed; EU: not listed; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
No rough decor that damages delicate skin

💡 Lighting

Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
Keep a stable day-night rhythm
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: 20-24 °C

Cynops orientalis — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Cynops orientalis · Cynops orientalis · Chinese fire-bellied newt

📋 At a glance


Adult size	6-10 cm
Lifespan	10-20 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	China, using cool ponds, ditches, rice-field margins, and vegetated slow water.
Activity	Cathemeral
Difficulty	Intermediate
Legal	CITES: not listed; EU: not listed; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
No rough decor that damages delicate skin

💡 Lighting

Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
Keep a stable day-night rhythm
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: not used

Cynops pyrrhogaster — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Cynops pyrrhogaster · Cynops pyrrhogaster · Japanese fire-bellied newt

📋 At a glance


Adult size	9-15 cm
Lifespan	15-25 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Japan, where regional forms use ponds, rice fields, ditches, and slow vegetated water.
Activity	Cathemeral
Difficulty	Intermediate
Legal	CITES: not listed; EU: not listed; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
No rough decor that damages delicate skin

💡 Lighting

Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
Keep a stable day-night rhythm
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: not used

Dendrobates auratus — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dendrobates auratus · Dendrobates auratus · Green and black poison frog · Green poison frog

📋 At a glance


Adult size	3-5 cm
Lifespan	8-15 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Dendrobates auratus is native to Central America from Nicaragua to Panama and nearby Colombia, with introduced populations in some islands and human-moved sites.
Activity	Diurnal
Difficulty	Intermediate
Legal	CITES: Appendix II; EU: Annex B; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
No rough decor that damages delicate skin

💡 Lighting

Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
Keep a stable day-night rhythm
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: 22-26 °C

Dendrobates azureus — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dendrobates azureus · Dendrobates azureus · Blue poison frog · Azureus poison frog

📋 At a glance


Adult size	4-5 cm
Lifespan	8-15 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Dendrobates tinctorius ‘azureus’ is native to southern Suriname, especially the Sipaliwini region.
Activity	Diurnal
Difficulty	Intermediate
Legal	CITES: Appendix II; EU: Annex B; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
No rough decor that damages delicate skin

💡 Lighting

Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
Keep a stable day-night rhythm
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: 22-26 °C

Dendrobates leucomelas — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dendrobates leucomelas · Dendrobates leucomelas · Yellow-banded poison frog · Bumblebee poison frog

📋 At a glance


Adult size	3-5 cm
Lifespan	8-15 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Dendrobates leucomelas is native to northern South America, especially Venezuela with nearby Guyana and Brazil.
Activity	Diurnal
Difficulty	Beginner
Legal	CITES: Appendix II; EU: Annex B; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
No rough decor that damages delicate skin

💡 Lighting

Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
Keep a stable day-night rhythm
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: 22-26 °C

Dyeing Poison Frog — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dendrobates tinctorius · Dyeing Poison Frog · Dyeing poison frog · Dyeing dart frog

📋 At a glance


Adult size	4-6 cm
Lifespan	8-15 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Dendrobates tinctorius is native to the eastern Guiana Shield, including French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana and adjacent northern Brazil.
Activity	Diurnal
Difficulty	Intermediate
Legal	CITES: Appendix II; EU: Annex B; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
No rough decor that damages delicate skin

💡 Lighting

Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
Keep a stable day-night rhythm
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: 22-26 °C

Hyla cinerea — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Hyla cinerea · Hyla cinerea · Green tree frog · American green tree frog

📋 At a glance


Adult size	4-7 cm
Lifespan	5-10 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Hyla cinerea is native to the southeastern United States.
Activity	Nocturnal
Difficulty	Beginner
Legal	CITES: not listed; EU: not listed; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
No rough decor that damages delicate skin

💡 Lighting

Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
Keep a stable day-night rhythm
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: 24-28 °C

Litoria caerulea — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Litoria caerulea · Litoria caerulea · White’s tree frog

📋 At a glance


Adult size	8-12 cm
Lifespan	10-20 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Northern and eastern Australia and southern New Guinea, using woodland, savanna edges, human structures, and seasonal
Activity	Nocturnal
Difficulty	Beginner
Legal	CITES: not listed; EU: not listed; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
No rough decor that damages delicate skin

💡 Lighting

Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
Keep a stable day-night rhythm
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: not used

Oophaga pumilio — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Oophaga pumilio · Oophaga pumilio · Strawberry poison frog · Strawberry dart frog

📋 At a glance


Adult size	2-3 cm
Lifespan	8-15 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Oophaga pumilio is native to eastern Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, with many highly localized colour forms.
Activity	Diurnal
Difficulty	Advanced
Legal	CITES: Appendix II; EU: Annex B; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
No rough decor that damages delicate skin

💡 Lighting

Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
Keep a stable day-night rhythm
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: 22-26 °C

Pacman Frog — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Ceratophrys cranwelli · Pacman Frog

📋 At a glance


Adult size	10-15 cm
Lifespan	8-15 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Ceratophrys cranwelli is native to the Gran Chaco region of South America, especially Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and adjacent Brazil.
Activity	Crepuscular
Difficulty	Beginner
Legal	CITES: not listed; EU: not listed; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
No rough decor that damages delicate skin

💡 Lighting

Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
Keep a stable day-night rhythm
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: 24-27 °C

Pleurodeles waltl — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Pleurodeles waltl · Pleurodeles waltl · Iberian ribbed newt

📋 At a glance


Adult size	20-30 cm
Lifespan	10-20 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Iberian Peninsula and northwestern Morocco, using ponds, reservoirs, slow water, and temporary
Activity	Cathemeral
Difficulty	Intermediate
Legal	CITES: not listed; EU: not listed; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
No rough decor that damages delicate skin

💡 Lighting

Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
Keep a stable day-night rhythm
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: not used

Pyxicephalus adspersus — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Pyxicephalus adspersus · Pyxicephalus adspersus · African bullfrog · Pixie frog

📋 At a glance


Adult size	12-24 cm
Lifespan	15-25 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Pyxicephalus adspersus is native to southern and eastern Africa in seasonal grassland, savanna and scrub regions.
Activity	Crepuscular
Difficulty	Advanced
Legal	CITES: not listed; EU: not listed; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
No rough decor that damages delicate skin

💡 Lighting

Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
Keep a stable day-night rhythm
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: 24-30 °C

Red-Eyed Tree Frog — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Agalychnis callidryas · Red-Eyed Tree Frog · Red-eyed tree frog · Red-eyed leaf frog

📋 At a glance


Adult size	5-8 cm
Lifespan	5-10 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Agalychnis callidryas is native to lowland and premontane Central America from southern Mexico through Panama, with populations extending into northwestern Colombia.
Activity	Nocturnal
Difficulty	Intermediate
Legal	CITES: Appendix II; EU: Annex B; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
No rough decor that damages delicate skin

💡 Lighting

Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
Keep a stable day-night rhythm
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: 24-28 °C

Salamandra salamandra — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Salamandra salamandra · Salamandra salamandra · Fire salamander

📋 At a glance


Adult size	15-25 cm
Lifespan	15-25 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Central and southern Europe, with regional forms tied to cool forests, springs, streams, and damp
Activity	Nocturnal
Difficulty	Intermediate
Legal	CITES: not listed; EU: not listed; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
No rough decor that damages delicate skin

💡 Lighting

Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
Keep a stable day-night rhythm
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: not used

Trachycephalus resinifictrix — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Trachycephalus resinifictrix · Trachycephalus resinifictrix · Amazon milk frog

📋 At a glance


Adult size	8-12 cm
Lifespan	8-15 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Amazon Basin forests of northern South America, where it uses tree holes and water-filled
Activity	Nocturnal
Difficulty	Intermediate
Legal	CITES: not listed; EU: not listed; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
No rough decor that damages delicate skin

💡 Lighting

Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
Keep a stable day-night rhythm
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: not used