Pictures of Dicamptodon aterrimus

[454]

This is my first time posting pictures. I found both of these Idaho Giant Salamanders, along with a lot of other Dicamptodon aterrimus, in Idaho this past summer. The bigger one is an adult terrestrial salamander and the smaller less colorful slamander is a neotonic juvenile. Please tell me if you want other pictures of these salamanders and what you think.

 

[rust]

Very cool, definitely a seldom seen (in pictures) caudate. I've looked for them a couple of times up while traveling on business, to no avail. Do post a few more, they need to add these to the site's photo base.

 

[RPM]

Nice Photos.
What length is your terrestrial, dimensions of your enclosure and types of food is it consuming?
Thank you,
RPM

 

[dane_zu]

very nice

 

[454]

I will certianly post more pictures soon. I think it would be awesome if they Put some of my pictures on the sites photo base.

 

[tdimler]

COOL! I'd love to see more photos of the animals as well as habitat photos.

Travis

 

[454]

The terrestrial salamander is about 10in. It lives in a 20gal terrarium. It eats earthworms, mealworms, and crickerts. All the food items are dusted with calcium. If anyone has any more questions feel free to ask!

 

[454]

Here is one more picture. I will post more pictures of the salamanders and there tanks tomorrow. Tell me what you think.

 

[rust]

Nice pic. You should get some habitat shots after the spring thaw.

 

[Tim S]

Dicamptondon aterrimus is listed as a Protected Nongame Species by Idaho Fish and Game.

Please read http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cdc/cwcs_pdf/appendix%20b.pdf

Did you have a permit to collect these?

 

[454]

I found some more pictures today, of the habitat and some other neotonic salamanders I found. I hope you enjoy!

 

[rust]

Nice habitat. The link Tim posted is a pretty recent change in ID. You might want to check MT's rules too, they're rather ambiguous. I know there is (or was) a possession limit on macrodactylum in MT, but I'm not sure what the rules were on Dicomps. Of course I can't find the link to any of the possession limit rules now.

 

[marco]

Very nice salamanders, and wonderful scenery too.

 

[andyoconnor83]

recent change or not, it was definitely changed BEFORE he collected them which makes them illegal to possess, in or out of Idaho. They are the mosit protected amphibian over their entire range, and the second most protected statewide only behind the oregon spotted frog. At this point, releasing them into the wild would cause more harm than good, and I doubt the ID F&G is gonna bust down your door for it, but please don't take any more.

 

[454]

I didn't know they were protected, and I should of checked. I know it was bad and I will never do it again There was a very stable population of them were I took them, still not right though. sorry

 

[andyoconnor83]

Yeah, and I am not against collecting anything from a stable pop. usually, I know certain state's laws are too strict on this issue (I live in washington, picking up a garter snake is technically against F&G law) but the reason D. aterrimus is protected so much is there are few stable populations left. But you could have gotten in a ton of trouble had a warden or someone caught you that knew the law so be careful. Enjoy your new, illegal, but cool pets. sorry if I came across as harsh.

 

[alana]

It picking up a garter snake really illegal out here? They are everywhere! Washington is too strict on their outdoor laws. My husband recently got a ticket for not having a life jacket in an inflatable kayak!
Those are cute little critters you got there!
*Alana