Salamander ID Confirmation

[meteordemon]

Hello, about a month ago, I received what I was told to be a copper axolotl gone through metamorphosis. I know that this is very rare to occur naturally so I'd love some confirmation that it is or isnt a different species of mole salamander. She is eating well and doesn't seem to mind the transformation. Is there any special care she may require?

 

[RoreyRoreyRorey]

It almost looks like a tiger salamander to me! It looks like the yellow and black stripes are coming in, just like on my own little guy who is just finishing morphing.

 

[meteordemon]

Axolotls are a type of tiger salamander, so it would look very similar. I have a freshly morphed tiger salamander that she lives with. She's been transformed for a month now and her colors haven't come in, so it would be odd to me that this guy is completely golden off the bat, i also have not been able to find a single picture on the internet of a traditional tiger salamander looking like this. Shes also about 20% bigger than my marbled tiger salamander These are the reasons i think this may actually be an axolotl like i was told.

 

[meteordemon]

Here's a picture of the 2 up close

 

[RoreyRoreyRorey]

Interesting. Maybe it is from an axolotl that has been bred with a tiger salamander. Definitely interesting. I am almost certain it has some tiger salamander in it, just from the pattern and physique.

 

[RoreyRoreyRorey]

Here's a picture of the 2 up close

From that closeup shot it looks a lot like the Blotched tiger salamander (Ambystoma mavortium melanostictum)! Simply gorgeous!!

 

[meteordemon]

OOPS the first pictures are actually of the green tiger salamander, I just can't see well because I'm going this on my phone HERE'S the real deal

 

[RoreyRoreyRorey]

Oh wow!!! Even more gorgeous!! It has some serious tiger salamander traits going on, but I can see some golden axolotl morph in there. Sometimes breeders will cross axolotls with neotenic tiger salamanders to get unique color patterns. Perhaps if a gene like has too much tiger salamander dna in it, it could cause the axolotl to morph. In any case, certainly a unique pattern!!

 

[meteordemon]

Interesting! I didn't know that could be done. That seems like a distinct possibility

 

[RoreyRoreyRorey]

What size is she exactly? If she is larger than both a typical tiger salamander and a typical axolotl, it could be heterosis, an indicator of hybridization between the two species!

 

[RoreyRoreyRorey]

How is she doing? Has anymore color come in?