Help identifying this salamander species.

[geron]

I was sold 2 salamanders under the name of missisisipi salamanders. They arrives to me as aquatic juvies and have since morphed into terrestrial adults. I thought that they were plethodon mississippi, but they kind of look like some sort of ambystoma. Any help would be most appreciated.

 

[Cliygh and Mia]

Looking at the head in the second picture makes me think it is literally a mole salamander, they have large parotid glands, which makes their heads look big. Either that or some kind of desmognathus salamander, but that's just my two cents

 

[sde]

Its hard to tell from those pictures, but my first thought was that it is Ambystoma talpoideum.

 

[Cliygh and Mia]

Also you could ask where the supplier got them from

 

[geron]

They were wc Corinth mississippi.

 

[Cliygh and Mia]

Actually, I don't believe that they are native to that spot, leading me to think they are... Spotted dusky salamanders! They could also very well be streamside salamanders, spotted salamanders, and marbled salamanders. The dusky's have a kind of light cream stripe underneath/behind their eyes like the ones you have. Also they have big eyes compared to their heads

 

[Cliygh and Mia]

Also could we have more photos, especially on the side to be sure? Desmognathus species have larger hind legs compared to their front legs

 

[geron]

Sure I'll get the one out who tends to be in the water more for a few final photos. They just became terrestrial so I don't want to keep stressing them out.

 

[geron]

 

[Cliygh and Mia]

Going back to it being a mole/marbled salamander, on the range maps they are not common, so I guess you got lucky!

 

[Asevernnnn]

If they're from Mississippi, theres a good chance that they're Ambystoma talpoideum, they have a large range in that state.
It also does have that Ambystomatidae shape to it, that would be my guess as well. If it was A. opacum you would more than likely see some of that silver pattern on its back by now

 

[Cliygh and Mia]

When they first morph, I believe it can take up to a few months for the coloration to come in, but I believe it is a mole salamander

 

[geron]

So here is a picture of some adults that the person who sold them to me has.

 

[Cliygh and Mia]

Definitely Ambystoma Talpoideum. No doubt Talpoideum

 

[geron]

I'm not seeing any info for them on caudata culture care sheets. Is their housing much different than that of slimy salamanders? Because that's the kind of setup I made for them lol.

 

[Cliygh and Mia]

For care, think more like a tiger salamander, heavily burrowing, loving to eat, begging, pudgy little animals

 

[geron]

Okay thanks for all the help everyone!

 

[Cliygh and Mia]

Also, tell the person who sold them to you they ARE NOT AQUATIC! The picture he has shows water and gravel! Horrible for adult Ambystomas

 

[geron]

I already did. This seller more than hates me by now. They were shipped to me in a box with no cooling packs. They got to me and I opened the box to have heat just pour out. I was so scared for the little fellows. I contacted the seller and gave them a mouthful. She added those pictures after I bought them so I didn't see that until later. I did contact them though and told them off again.

 

[Asevernnnn]

Also, tell the person who sold them to you they ARE NOT AQUATIC! The picture he has shows water and gravel! Horrible for adult Ambystomas

"Tadpole salamanders" can actually be housed in a terrestrial setup or a setup with water and a floating land mass, of course if it's adapted to terrestrial life you would have to reintroduce it to water