<i>Hynobius kimurae</i> larvae (natural habitat)

[TJ]

I had a very successful day today, finding H. kimurae eggs, larvae and adults, H. tokyoensis larvae and adults and C. pyrrhogaster adults. Here are the H. kimurae larvae:

(Message edited by TJ on May 09, 2005)

 

[mark]

WOW

, great pics Tim, those larvae look really camouflaged.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[TJ]

Thanks Mark

These Hida Salamander hatched last year and over-wintered as larvae. Like Onychodactylus japonicus (Japanese Clawed Salamander), they can be found in cool, rocky streams at higher elevations year-round.

For pics of this species at various stages of development, see:
http://www.rieo.net/amph/saramand/sansyouo/hidasan.htm

This is not one that's easy to keep in captivity, however, especially because it's very intolerant of high temperatures. I'll share some nice pics of eggs and adults in the next couple of days in a separate thread

(Message edited by TJ on May 09, 2005)

 

[jennifer]

That last photo of the first set reminds me a lot of some photos of Rhyacotriton. The Hynobius have the characteristic wide head, but look otherwise very similar:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/Rhyacotriton.shtml
I wouldn't bother to comment on the similar appearance alone, but it sounds like they inhabit a very similar habitat as well.

 

[TJ]

That's very interesting, Jen. Thanks for that

You might notice a shrimp-like creature on the light-colored rock beneath the tail area. Here's a closer shot of it:

 

[TJ]

 

[danny]

Great pics Tim! I really like how the head of the H. kimurae larvae look very similiar to a shovel! Must be to get in all those nooks and cranies where their shrimp like food source hides!

 

[TJ]

Found some more H. kimurae today

<font size="-2">(pic was originally posted on May 8 but was modified on May 10)</font>

(Message edited by TJ on May 10, 2005)

 

[TJ]

Thanks Danny.

 

[joseph]

The "shrimp" is some kind of mayfly larvae. No doubt a good source of food for these guys! I agree, they have great camouflage! The flat head is interesting. I would think it helps them slip easily under rocks.

Amazing how much caudate larvae differ.