Here comes a newbie question

[HooperG]

Hello all,

I am brand new at this and a bit confused. From what I read, waterdogs are larval Tiger salamanders. What is the difference between them and mud puppies, and how do you tell them apart? I've seen mudpuppies for sale at a large aquarium/pet store
near me in Lancaster, PA, but are waterdogs available also? Thanks for indulging me by answering what may seem like first grade questions, but heck, we all gotta start somewhere.

 

[Azhael]

Let´s see, tiger salamanders are members of the genus Ambystoma, family ambystomatidae, while mudpuppies are members of the genus Necturus, family Proteidae. They are very, very different once you learn to recognize the differences. Apart from anything else, mudpuppies get quite larger and never undergo metamorphosis.
Personally i´d advice you gainst purchasing such animals. Tiger salamander larvae possibly come from the bait market which means supporting a terrible thing and most likely getting a severely stressed, possibly ill animal. The mudpuppies will also be wild-caught and pet-stores are well known for being dramatically ignorant about caudates and offering them negligent care, so you would do well to consider what the animals health might be and the type of market you´d be supporting.

 

[Jan]

With regard as to how to 'tell them apart' have a look at these two articles:

Caudata Culture Species Entry - Necturus maculosus

Caudata Culture Species Entry - Tiger salamander

and this thread, that has pictures of larval tiger salamanders:

http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...6173-my-tiger-salamander-larvae-morphing.html

You are not the first to be confused....and both are often referrenced by their common name 'waterdog'.