Please Help Identify

jesstray · #1 08-10-2010, 10:53 AM

Can someone please help me identify the species of this salamander which I found in a local petstore? The owner swears that it is a waterdog and has it in a completely aquatic fishtank with other tropical fish, listed for $30. I think it is a tiger salamander, but i am not sure. He claims it has been in there for weeks and eats just fine. I am afraid that he has this poor animal in the wrong environment. Sorry for the pic quality.

beckdg · #2 08-10-2010, 01:16 PM

How to care for waterdogs, Ambystoma tigrinum

jesstray · #3 08-10-2010, 01:24 PM

I know its hard to tell by the pics but this creature does not have gills. I have seen the gill fringes on a water dog, but this looks like a normal salamander. He lives completely in the water, but look terrestrial. He doesn't even have the flattened tail of a newt.

froggsong · #4 08-10-2010, 03:04 PM

You should try asking on caudata.org (I think it's a .org). They also have some good fact sheets on various newts and salamanders.

beckdg · #5 08-10-2010, 07:03 PM

from the link above...
"Water Dogs, Dinosaur Dogs, Mud Puppies? The larvae of the Tiger Salamander have different names depending upon what part of the country you find them in."
"Water dogs change into tiger salamanders."
"Larvae? Like tadpoles that change into frogs or toads, Water Dogs change into different critters – Tiger Salamanders."

my point is it's quite possible that last week it was a full blown water dog and isn't ready to come out of the water yet. there's also a chance that it is and they just don't know it yet. either way water dog is a name for a tiger salamander before it morphs to it's land loving adult form.

jesstray · #6 08-10-2010, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beckdg

from the link above...
my point is it's quite possible that last week it was a full blown water dog and isn't ready to come out of the water yet. there's also a chance that it is and they just don't know it yet. either way water dog is a name for a tiger salamander before it morphs to it's land loving adult form.

Thanks a lot for your advice, I have a couple more questions. Is there a chance that it may not survive for long in these conditions? I didn't plan on purchasing it, but I will in order to save it. Also is $30 a lot for a tiger salamander?

beckdg · #7 08-10-2010, 09:49 PM

survival would depend on the knowledge of the individual keeping it at this time. sounds like that individual has some type of clue at the least. so we're off to a good start. i'm not sure what the going rate is where you're at $30 could very well be it. it seems to be a going rate on line. i wouldn't buy one solely on the principle that i can find them ~1/2mile from my house. for that very reason they don't seem to sell for much around here anyway.

jesstray · #8 08-11-2010, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beckdg

i wouldn't buy one solely on the principle that i can find them ~1/2mile from my house. for that very reason they don't seem to sell for much around here anyway.

Its odd that you can find so many up north. I currently live in Atlanta, I have not been able to find a single salamander anywhere. I have found quite a few lizards (anoles and skinks primarily), tree frogs, toads, and snakes in my own yard. However I cannot find salamanders nowhere and I have searched several parks.

I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and I used to always find salamanders in my yard. I assumed they would be more abundant here in the south where the climate is warmer.

beckdg · #9 08-11-2010, 09:31 AM

hmmm... //head scratch//... check this out... Tiger Salamander | PA HERP IDENTIFICATION

i live in the county i shaded... where apparently they're not documented yet...
tiger_salamander.gif

froggsong · #10 08-11-2010, 01:39 PM

Salamanders and newts are primarily cold weather animals. In fact, in order to keep some species of newts year round, their aquariums must be cooled.