Salamanders in CA

MudskipperFan

MudskipperFan

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Aug 5, 2008
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For my birthday this year I'm only getting one present and I am planning on it being a salamander. After doing alot of research on caring for salamanders in general, I think I know how to keep one and what to do. So which salamanders are legal in my state and which ones aren't? I know the fire salamander is totally legal but it's expensive, and at a school (not my school lol) I saw a barred tiger salamander in a tank, so I'm wondering what IS legal and where can I buy them in LA County or more specifically Long Beach? If you're selling one for cheap then hit me up.

BTW, I want a SALAMANDER, not a newt. I think there's a serious difference between the two specimens.
 
Don't quote me on this but I'm pretty sure Tiger Salamanders are illegal to own in California. I know they've become established in certain areas of that state where they are negatively effecting the ecosystem. If I were you I'd save up your money and buy a Fire Salamander.
 
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I'm not sure if they're legal or not. There are a lot of places saying that, but the California DFG website doesn't list them on the restricted or illegal tables. California DFG site.

There is a native species, the California Tiger Salamander, and given it's status, would be illegal to collect and keep.

No help in locating one, though, sorry.
 
That says the species listed can't be owned without an appropriate permit. There is a difference between 'illegal to own' and 'requiring permit'.

"It shall be unlawful to import, transport, or possess
alive animals restricted in subsection (c) below except under
permit issued by the Department of Fish and Game. Permits
may be issued by the department as specified herein and for
purposes designated in Section 671.1 subject to the conditions
and restrictions designated by the department."
 
AH, I already knew something about ALL mole salamander species being illegal but I didn't get that you needed a PERMIT. Thanks for the help, do you know any sites that have plenty of fire salamanders in stock though?
 
Cool, just read the list of illegal species webpage. It didn't say anything about amphiumas or mudpuppies (they're not in the ambystoma group) so I guess I can buy one if I wanted lol.
 
MudskipperFan said:
Cool, just read the list of illegal species webpage. It didn't say anything about amphiumas or mudpuppies (they're not in the ambystoma group) so I guess I can buy one if I wanted lol.
Click to expand...

True mudpuppies require cool clean aerated water. So that means a **** good and expensive filtration system and a chiller. So I recommend against them.

I second the vote for Fire Salamanders due to the fact they are easy to breed in captivity and those you see for sale are probably captive bred.
They may cost more but I think you will appreciate it more in the long run.
 
What are commonly sold as "mud puppies" are usually Ambystomid larvae
 
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