Terrestrial Axolotl Habitat, How to set-up

[Shenanigans]

In a rare twist of fate, one of my axolotls is finishing morphing into a salamander. She has lost her gills and the fleshy apendage of her tail has dissapeared and she now looks like a normal salamander. Soon she will not appreciate drowning in a watery habitat. When the time comes and she does try to leave the water, what is a proper habitat for a terrestrial form?

Should the air temp be cool in the 60s F? What kind of substrate is suitable? Necessary humidity levels?

And has anyone had long term success with a terrestrial axolotl

(camera is down, I will attempt photos soon)

 

[Vicious_Fish]

I'd just follow the typical care for an adult Tiger Salamander. Room temp should be good as long as it doesn't get warmer than the low 70's. Eco Earth (coco-mulch) is fine for substrate since it will allow your salamander to dig and make burrows. You can add hides such as cork bark and I'm sure live plants will be appreciated. A shallow water dish for soaking and drinking in is important too.

 

[Shenanigans]

Sounds do-able, thanks for the advice. Never thought my axol would change over and everyone I have spoken with seems surprised too. Ill start reading up on tigers then

 

[Shenanigans]

I started reading up on tigers a little bit, currently she takes pellet foods, shrimp and massivore. Do you suppose the terrestrial form will take a pellet off the ground, or should I attempt other foods such as small crickets and worms?

 

[Vicious_Fish]

In my experience from helping to keep Tigers in the past, they ate a diet of small crickets and chopped red worms and earth worms. I've never tried pellets but you could give it a try. I'm not too sure if they are more visual hunters or use their nose to find food as adults.

 

[cichlidfan78]

I started reading up on tigers a little bit, currently she takes pellet foods, shrimp and massivore. Do you suppose the terrestrial form will take a pellet off the ground, or should I attempt other foods such as small crickets and worms?

earthworms are the best, very nutritious! also crickets and the odd pinky mouse will be much appreciated! my tiger salamander would take straight from feeding tongs with very little hesitation...so I`m sure your axy will too! best of luck with her.

 

[Shenanigans]

well, yesterday I noticed his head sticking out of the water a bit and thought it might be time. Today I set-up his new home, Divided in two, with a tier of smaller steps. The steps are filled with sand and the water portion has a thin layer of sand substrate with 4" deep water. The sand "stairs" lead up to a moist area of sphagnum moss. I put the axol in and he has taken his first steps onto land. He is hyper-ventilating, but is laying in his new moss pad. We shall see how he does over the next few days

 

[snakefin]

Typically, axolotls do not survive very long after metamorphosis; though I can't point out why this is so.
Earthworms are the best, avoid the red wigglers if you can, but they work fine as well.

 

[Shenanigans]

He seems to be doing fairly well, his breathing is becoming more normal and less rapid

 

[Shenanigans]

Apparently I have done an unsatisfactory job in setting up this tank.In the photo, you can see the moss dips down into the water a bit. This is a single "puddle" in the middle of the moss. She has begun filling in the area with sand from the bottom of the water portion. She appears to be acclimating well though