Help me forgive myself

[matt3civic]

I live in Arkansas and I've captured just about every species this state has to offer: marbled, small mouth, Oklahoma, slimy, eastern red-backed, spotted and I've owned many tigers. I finally came across a beautiful cave salamander of about 6 inches, bright orange and black spots. I've been looking for one of these for about eight years, so I caught it and had a wonderful habitat for it...then it happened...I forgot to put the tape back around the lid to seal it and he just wasn't in the cage...I haven't found the body, but we all know what happens when a salamander meets carpet...

 

[vistajpdf]

I'm so, so sorry. Some people here have had success locating an escapee with a wet towel on a cookie sheet. Give it a try. I know how difficult it is to feel responsible like this. Accidents happen and perhaps a predator in the wild was about to bring the salamander's life to an abrupt and gruesome end...you never know. Try not to beat yourself up over this but give the cookie sheet a try.

Good luck,
Dana

 

[crazyfishlady]

The couple of times mine had escaped in the past they were always along the perimeter of the house and in a bedroom. Back a few years ago when I lived w/ my parents I found one under some drapes that were hanging down to the floor in my parents bedroom. My husband and I just recently moved and I packed the animals the night before in some rubbermaid containers w/ the lid loosely fit. One of the newts escaped and we found it under the bed against the wall (actually the dog found it, she was barking at something and we didn't discover what it was until I realized one of the newts had disappeared). They were both still alive upon discovery. You may have some luck yet.

 

[matt3civic]

I'm afraid it's been about five days since it escaped, but I'll give the towel and cookie sheet a try.

 

[callina]

HI,

I´m so sorry, but I wish you all the best

Good luck!

-Tina-

 

[Yucca Patrol]

Twice we have found one of our aquatic newts drying out on the floor a room away from the "fish room". Now we have everything taped completely shut

I know that cave salamanders do not always live in caves, but they do generally live near them or at least in karst areas, but they are a protected species under the Federal Cave Protection Act (which applies only to federal lands and caves on such lands). I've seen them half a mile away from a known cave since they are a "twilight" species that is seen near entrances of caves but rarely deep inside.

As a caver, I see them often, and I also see the spectacular endangered Tennessee Cave Salamander which is neotenic like an Axolotl. But since they are protected and/or endangered, I just enjoy seeing them when I can and leave them there.

Please don't think I am being judgmental, but us cavers are sensitive when it comes to protecting cave resources.

 

[ferret_corner]

Here is a specie acct for the salamander.. http://www.herpsofarkansas.com/Salamander/EuryceaLucifuga#Conservation

and caudatas acct http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Eurycea/E_lucifuga.shtml

Neither mentions that this salamander is protected.

From Amphibia web.....
4. Conservation. It is impossible to accurately determine from available data the general abundance, and therefore the conservation status, of cave salamanders. Because cave salamanders are dependent upon, or associated with, caves and similar limestone features, there is some reason for concern. Although the biggest threat to cave faunas may be their extremely localized occurrence, actions that directly degrade subsurface habitat or surface terrestrial and/or aquatic habitats negatively affect populations. Cave salamanders are listed as Endangered in Ohio, Mississippi, and Kansas (Levell, 1997), and considered Rare in West Virginia.

http://amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query?where-genus=Eurycea&where-species=lucifuga