Photo: My first salamander, what to do?

[MR Doktor]

Hello everyone, my name is Mihovil and I joined this community because I found a new pet and I want to learn more about his needs.

First of all, I would like the help of everyone here to try and identify this specie:
Picasa Web Albums - MihovilRatajecFSB - My new little...

I'm not sure which specie he/she really is and therefore I'm unsure how to rearrange his terrarium. The thing is - we found him in our garden near the chopped logs storage and it was raining heavily that day ( 3 days ago) We had an unused aquarium of 35L of capacity (Mirabello model) and we created an environment using grass as cover for soil, some rocks and one tree bark for him to hide. He also has a little pool area with fresh water. It doesn't look much yet, but that's because I'm uncertain which species he is and what would he like. I know that he is a terrestrial specie that requires small body of water but for further terrarium upgrading I need to know more about him.

Picasa Web Albums - MihovilRatajecFSB - My new little...

I fed him two days ago with small earthworm (4cm / 1.5"long) I found outside and he immediately ate it. All information I gathered so far was from "super newt" site but I would really like advices for you, more experienced people than myself. I also read that it's a good sign if he spends his time around the body of water - which means that the water is really fresh and clean. I am also a bit worried about his skin. When I look at the pictures of other amphibians I can clearly see a "thin film" of moist on their skin and which means that they are healthy and okay. But mine doesn't have that moist on his skin - should this worry me even more? I don't handle him at all and I try not to disturb him and stress him. My room is very quite and still most of the day so the "outside world" shouldn't bother him too much.

 

[Joost]

Looks like a T. carnifex to me. They are much more aquatic, if you create a large water area.

 

[MR Doktor]

I just googled it up - and you are correct! Thank you So I should make 50/50 water body and land area? I though that he would prefer the land over the water since our house is about 1km away from river and lake. How do I separate water from ground in the tank? Do I put glass to separate it or some big rocks to contain water?

 

[Azhael]

Hi Mihovil.
That looks indeed like a Triturus carnifex.
One thing you should really consider is that collection from the wild is likely to be illegal. I´m not familiar with the law in Croatia, but as far as i know the species should be protected and illegal to collect. This is the norm for the vast majority of european countries.
Please inform yourself about the legal status of the species and act acordingly.

 

[MR Doktor]

Yes - that is true. It is illegal to even own any kind of amphibian. I'll be returning that little fellow to my garden. Thank you for the information!

 

[Azhael]

Oh, i doubt it´s illegal to own amphibians. It´s likely that CB animals are legal provided they have their documentation. This species is widely bred in captivity in europe, so if it´s legal for you to keep CB animals, you would find it very easy to obtain some legal animals.

This one belongs in the wild, that´s for sure. Do you have any other amphibians or even reptiles in your house? Because then setting it free could be dangerous because of the possibility of introducing patogens. If it´s the only one, then it should be perfectly safe. Just release it were you found it, it was probably taking advantage of the heavy rain to migrate to a new area.

 

[MR Doktor]

No, I have one dog and two juvenile cats. And this is the first newt I've saw. We made him a home in our old aquarium. I never had any kind of amphibian or lizard as a pet. I've checked about the law. It really is illegal to own any kind of new and there are no pet-shops or breeders that import into Croatia. I'll release it near the logs where I found it.

 

[Azhael]

Ok, i see.
Release it then, without fear.
If you have a garden, and enjoy caudates, you could make a nice pond if you have the space. Obviously, native caudates would be able to find it and use it to reproduce. That would be benefitial for the population, it would be legal since they would be entirely wild (although obviously you could not use them for any captive purpose), and you could enjoy them while the breeding season lasts.

 

[MR Doktor]

Well I wish that would be true but I believe that he was just migrating during the rain. I really don't care whether it is illegal to own a amphibian, I care about his happines - and you made a good remark - it is a wild animal, used to the wild life. He wasn't bred in the captivity and he probably isn't too happy his terrarium no matter what I do. I'll put set him free when it darkens outside - in and hour or two.

I would very much like some help and advice since you are a moderator - where can I find a breeder near Croatia? (Slovenia, Hungary, Austria) I know that you probably don't know anyone, but if you know that some member on this forum is a breeder in these countries - you let me know! Thanks for your insight and for good advices.

 

[Azhael]

Well, if it really is illegal to keep them even if they are captive bred, i´m sorry but we can´t help you, since we can´t condone that you act against the law. As long as the animals are captive bred i see no moral problem, but the law is the law...

You are definitely doing the right thing by releasing it back to it´s habitat. It´s not only illegal to catch wild caudates, but it´s also inmoral, since their populations are declining and every small population and reproductive adult is important.