Can Salamanders Live Together?

If you’ve ever watched salamanders in a pet store or seen them grouped in the same tank, you might assume they like being around each other.

Some salamanders can live together, but many do best when housed alone. If you try to keep more than one salamander in the same tank, you’ll need a lot of space, careful supervision, and a species that tolerates company. Otherwise, you could end up with injuries, stress, or even cannibalism.

Do Salamanders Like Company?

Not really. Research on salamander social behavior shows that while some species like red-backed salamanders may occasionally pair, most salamanders don’t live in groups, and they don’t form friendships.

In the wild, they mostly live alone. They might cross paths during mating season, but even then, the interaction is brief. Once mating is over, they go their separate ways.

In a tank, this doesn’t change. Keeping salamanders close together doesn’t make them feel safer or happier.

In fact, it can make them feel nervous. If one salamander is bigger or stronger, it may bully the other. One might hide all the time.

One might stop eating. Some salamanders will even bite or injure their tank mate.

They don’t share space well. They don’t take turns. And they don’t understand the idea of sharing food or hiding spots. When space is tight, aggressive interactions increase rapidly.

So while it might look peaceful at first, keeping salamanders together is often stressful, for them and for you.

When Can They Live Together?

There are a few situations where salamanders can share space. But it depends on the species, their size, and how the tank is set up.

Some salamanders are more tolerant than others. Tiger salamanders, for example, can sometimes be housed in pairs.

So can axolotls, though even they will sometimes nip at each other, especially during feeding time.

Fire salamanders may live together if they have a very large tank with lots of hiding spots.

But even with peaceful species, there’s still a risk. One salamander might grow faster and begin to dominate the tank.

One might hog the best hiding place. If food is limited or space feels cramped, aggression can start.

If you want to try housing them together, both animals should be the same species and the same size. Never mix different kinds of salamanders.

And never place a larger one with a smaller one. Even if they’ve lived together peacefully for a while, things can change overnight.

Cannibalism is a real possibility, even between siblings.

What Kind of Setup Do They Need?

If you decide to try keeping more than one salamander in a tank, space is one of the most important things to get right.

A small tank won’t work. You need enough room so each salamander can have its own space, away from the other.

As a rule, plan for at least 20 gallons per salamander. Bigger is better. And make sure there are plenty of hiding places.

That means bark, rocks, leaf piles, or small caves, anything that lets them get out of sight and feel secure.

Temperature and humidity also matter. If one salamander controls the cooler side or the damper spot, the other might get stuck in an area that doesn’t feel right. That can lead to stress or illness.

Feeding can also become a challenge. You’ll need to make sure each salamander gets enough to eat.

Salamanders feed on a variety of organisms, and one might be quicker or more aggressive when it’s time to hunt. If the other can’t compete, it might go hungry.

So even with the right setup, you’ll need to watch them closely. Housing salamanders together takes time and patience, and it doesn’t always work out.

Can Baby Salamanders Be Kept Together?

Sometimes. When salamanders are very young, they’re often kept in small groups, especially in breeding setups. At first, they’re all about the same size. But as they grow, differences start to show.

One might grow faster than the rest. One might become more aggressive. And if food is limited, cannibalistic behavior can emerge quickly. A stronger larva might eat a smaller one, and that’s not unusual.

To reduce the risk, you’ll need to feed them often and give them space. Interestingly, research suggests that salamanders show kin recognition and are less likely to cannibalize relatives.

As soon as one starts to grow faster than the others, it’s time to separate them. That helps protect the smaller ones and keeps the group safer overall.

So yes, baby salamanders can live together for a short time, but not for long.

What About Breeding Pairs?

Some people keep a male and female salamander together for breeding. But this should only be done by someone who understands their behavior and what they need.

Mating behavior in salamanders can be rough. It may involve nudging, chasing, or biting. And once mating is done, the pair should be separated.

Leaving them together can lead to stress, injuries, or illness, especially for the female.

If you’re not experienced with salamander breeding, it’s usually safer to keep them apart and only introduce them briefly when the timing is right.

What Are the Risks of Keeping Them Together?

Even if everything seems fine at first, trouble can show up later. Salamanders don’t give loud warnings. But their behavior can tell you when something’s wrong.

If one salamander hides all the time, that’s a bad sign. If one is eating more and growing faster, the other might be falling behind. If you see missing toes, torn tails, or bite marks, that’s a clear signal to separate them.

Stress responses in amphibians can also weaken their immune system. That can make them more likely to get sick, or less likely to recover.

So even if it seems peaceful now, it’s important to keep watching. Small problems can turn serious quickly.

Is It Better to Keep Them Alone?

In most cases, yes. Salamanders don’t need company. They don’t get lonely. And they won’t miss having a roommate. What they do need is peace and stability, and that’s easier to give when they’re on their own.

It’s also easier for you. You’ll know exactly how much each one is eating. You’ll be able to spot problems faster. And you won’t have to worry about one hurting the other when you’re not watching.

If you want more than one salamander, consider keeping them in separate tanks. That way, they’re both safe. And you can still enjoy watching them without the risk.

Conclusion

Some salamanders can live together, but most do better alone. They don’t form bonds, and they don’t enjoy company. In the wild, they keep to themselves. And in captivity, that doesn’t change.

If you try to house more than one salamander in the same tank, you’ll need a lot of space, the right species, and constant monitoring. Even then, things can go wrong.

They might compete for food. They might stress each other out. They might bite, injure, or even eat one another.

For most people, it’s safer and easier to keep salamanders in separate enclosures. They won’t feel lonely. And you won’t have to worry about keeping the peace.