eljorgo
Banned
Today I witnessed something I would never think about in all my life. I am still with dropped jaw... I am keeping 2 juvenils of Red Paramesotriton undescribed species. It has been quite a difficult task feeding these guys, so almost desperate I filled a tupperware to almost full capacity (less some 2 or 3mm of air in the top. Total water column was about 5cm This was done to prevent them to escape from the water and start feeding on life mosquito larvae/earthworms in water. After place them there two days ago they were doing fine. Yesterday i opened and they were perfect but when i opened the tupperware today one of them was floating with a enormous belly and will mouth totally opened and eyes not visible (retracted) the legs were compressed to the body and his skin was very slippery with the body completely lined and rigid. I was chocked and could not believe i had lost one of my two most precious animals. Totaly confused with his jaws totally opened and tongue a bit prominent I started to squeeze gently his inflated belly and a impressive amount of water got out.After this maneuver I was so nervous that let him fall in the table in a tumble of 10cm. When he hit the table one of his limbs started moving and he turned his neck what completely impressed me. I squeezed 2 more times in belly and one in the throat till no more water came out. Then I dried him with a towel. All of this very very gently. In question of minutes his eyes became prominent (opened) and his tail started moving. Yet not good, he looked like he was taking electric shock, shaking heavily. I thought there was nothing to do. But after this activity he started walking and his throat started to move (he finally started to breath). And from that time till now (about 10h) he is perfectly fine, walking, moving if somebody touches him and his skin returned to normal. When I thought I knew "all" about Caudates, I got this valuable lesson of what some species/families can do if you discover them drown. I didn't took pictures of this sequence because in the moment, the rush was so many that I only thought about making this guy live and there he his, happy with his friend in a terrestrial setup for some days now on Even he might run the risk to die I doubt that all 100% since he is so perfect like he was before all of this. Anybody saw or had something like this? I am impressed with this behaviour. He was...dead... floating, rigid mouth opened, tongue out and mouth widely opened and now he is super fine and perfect...Just wanted to share this fact I never thought or heard before!!
Cheers,
Jorge(amazed)
Cheers,
Jorge(amazed)