Amphibians

Axolotls, affectionately known as "water monsters," are unique creatures that are both mysterious and fascinating. Native to the lakes and canals of Xochimilco in Mexico, axolotls have an unusual combination of features: they're amphibious, able to breathe air and survive underwater; they remain larval throughout their adult life, meaning they never fully mature into frogs; and they possess a remarkable regenerative ability that allows them to regrow entire limbs. With their distinctive large black eyes, oversized heads, and ‘Smiling’ face-like appearance, these unusual salamanders have captured the imagination of many people around the world.

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Care- Caecilians are docile and quiet pets, so they are very interesting to watch. They are a little harder to keep than some amphibians, so are not recommended for someone who has not kept amphibians before. They can live with other caecilians. They tend to group together and can often be seen sharing the same hide outs. Keep in mind that they can bite, but this is rare with proper appropriate handling.

Caecilians need a 50/50 split within their tank, with half being covered with a burrowing substrate, while the other being a water area. A tight fitting lid is also required as Caecilians are excellent escape artists.

Your Caecilian’s terrarium should be inspected and spot cleaned daily when changing the water. Every week clean out the tank completely and sterilize using a reptile/amphibian friendly disinfectant. Sterilize any décor and carefully remove any live plants to replace when the tank has been cleaned. Your caecilian should be moved to a temporary tank whilst being cleaned.

It is very important to keep the tank clean at all times because of the bacterial build up created by the high temperatures and humidity. Caecilians can also carry parasites, so care must be taken to ensure these parasites stay at a containable level. Too many parasites can kill them.

Caecilians shed their skin at regular intervals as they grow. The shed skin is nearly transparent and you will find it floating in the water of your terrarium. The skin should be netted out of the tank as soon as possible after shedding to keep the water clean.

Caecilians should be fed daily with a varied diet of appropriately sized gut loaded prey items, including most insects and inverts, earthworms, small fish, shrimps, and frozen bloodworm. It is also recommended to wear gloves if the need to handle them arises, to keep both you and your caecilian safe.

Enrichments- Caecilians are very inquisitive animals and like to explore new surroundings. Once in a while change the layout of the terrarium; this will keep your Caecilian from becoming bored. You will notice once you put your Caecilian(s) back in the tank it will start to re-explore its new surroundings.

Care- First, you will need a decent-sized tank that either opens at the top or in the front. Some species of frogs do better with one over the other. The ideal frog tank will have two distinct sections for water and land areas.

Second, you will need a canopy or some type of cover as well as a light source. Keep the tank out of direct sunlight, and don’t locate it in the kitchen or adjacent rooms because any cleaning products, aerosol products, and cooking fumes could poison them.

Frogs are mostly carnivores and enjoy eating meat such as crickets, moths, fly larvae, worms, and caterpillars. Since frogs are amphibians, they will spend quite a bit of time in the water, so it is important to change their bathing and drinking water regularly. You’ll also want to keep the tank as clean as possible.

Lastly, most frogs do not like to be touched or handled, but when you need to, handle them with care and always wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after you touch them.

Enrichments- Use a variety of different food items for frogs and toads. Keepers most often feed them crickets or Dubai roaches. A few more items you could feed them are meal worms, horn worms, and earthworms.

Another simple enrichment idea is just changing when you feed them. Many people become used to feeding their animals at certain times of the day, but adding a little variety in the time can help both the keeper and frog.

Care- Your salamander's home should mimic its habitat in the wild. Salamanders prefer a moist, damp habitat with ample places to hide. You can put your salamander in a plastic container with a tight lid. Drill some holes on the side for ventilation and place the container in an area that doesn't get direct sunlight. Cover the floor with bark chips, potting compost or moss.

They are comfortable in temperatures between 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, so make sure that the tank is kept cool, especially during the summer. Salamanders must be moist, so make sure you put a dish of water in the box, which will have to be cleaned out and replaced frequently.

As salamanders are nocturnal, it's best to feed them at night. Salamanders are carnivorous and should be fed earthworms, slugs, wood lice etc. Handle your salamander as little as possible. Their delicate, moist skin cannot tolerate too much handling, so it's best to enjoy them from a distance.

Clean the box out every 2 to 3 months with warm water and mild dish soap. Don't use chlorine disinfectant to clean it, as even remnants of chlorine may harm the salamander.

Enrichments- Changing the environment your salamander lives in creates a novel experience for them Adding trees, plants, and perching areas or using different substrates, such as sand, mulch, or grass can entice animals to navigate their habitats in new ways. You can also provide options for dens and different types of bedding or hiding spaces.