OMG!!! I have Slimy Salamander eggs!

[kyryah]

So, this morning as I stumbled bleary eyed past my mixed viv, a tiny patch of white an inch or so below the surface of the substrate, right up against the glass, caught my eye.

They are Slimy Salamander eggs

I have two Slimies in my viv, but I do not know if I have an actual pair. I can't tell for sure if they are fertile and the female is guarding them, because she may be farther up the tunnel and there is no way I am going poking around in the substrate to find out.

The incubation period is 3 months, and they emerge as perfectly formed, tiny salamanders.

From what I have researched, this may be a big deal. Apparently this like almost NEVER happens!

I am totally beside myself. I am going to completely DIE if these things hatch! Just one baby would be AMAZING.



I have since placed some black tape over the glass in the area where the eggs are, so if momma is up the tunnel a bit paying attention to them, she won't be stressed or disturbed.

Here are some links for reference -

toledoblade.com --

http://www.toledozoo.org/discover/pr...%20hatches.pdf

WOW.

Kristina

[lowcountryfire]

WOW!!!!!!! That is awesome! Keep us updated on whats goin on! And congrats!

[marilu]

Ditto! That's really amazing! Do you have any pictures of your adults? I don't know what they look like...just curious.

[froggsong]

VERY cool! I bet you almost fell down when you saw that.

[spend_day]

cool, its not that rare for these guys to breed tho pretty uncommon but not a once in a lifetime event lol, just most people keep these animals at a too high temp for them to breed, the fact that shes laid (rather than retaining her eggs and developing them inside of her) is a sign of how good your set-up must be they wont lay if they dont feel the area is secure and if the correct condition arent met. i hope all goes well. and congrats, it generally takes alot of time effort and luck to breed these guys, u clearly have a knack to this (or are just a naturally very lucky person)

keep us informed.


EDIT: I've just read the links, they seem kinda OTT i could probably get the names of a couple of people who have bred this species (I do speak to alot of salamander keepers and breeders tho). Might have been the first time in a zoo setting but it wouldn't be the first in captivity. its still pretty uncommon tho GOOD LUCK

[Chu'Wuti]

Kyryah, this is so cool! So we have to wait until the end of April to learn anything . . . *sigh* I do think you might want to check them every once in awhile to see if any decomp occurs--molds or anything. I hope that doesn't happen, but I've heard it can.

LOTS OF LUCK!!!

[kyryah]

Well, I hope nothing happens to them. I also hope that I am not mistaken and these are actually Red Backed eggs, lol. Either way, babies would be
very cool.

I am going to be very anxious for awhile, lol!

Kristina

[spend_day]

how are things going

[kyryah]

They seem to be fine, no sign of mold or fungus, nice and plump looking. It *might* be my imagination, but most of them look slightly larger and more elongated. Or, it could just be wishful thinking!

Since they were right up against the front of the viv, I was able to mark the water table in relation to thier position and have been making sure that it remains constant.

As to keeping temps cool, they are located in the cool side of the tank. I don't normally keep the tank over 78 degrees at the most. The back corner sports two UTH placed on the sides of the tank, but the rest of the tank is unheated for the most part.

Kristina

[spend_day]

Originally Posted by kyryah

As to keeping temps cool, they are located in the cool side of the tank. I don't normally keep the tank over 78 degrees at the most. The back corner sports two UTH placed on the sides of the tank, but the rest of the tank is unheated for the most part.

Kristina

i am honestly suprised the bred at this temp, it is generally recommended not to keep this species over 24.4 C (76 F) because it can lead to stress, fungal infections etc