Skipping the eft stage in vulgaris

[t_summ]

I have a few L. vulgaris larvae that are just beginning to morph. I have heard that it may be possible to have the morphs skip the eft stage by placing them in the fridge. Is this a realistic possibility? Are there any adverse health effects from this?

 

[Azhael]

Re: Skipping the eft stage

I introduced mine to water after some time and they got to it almost inmediately. Now they are growing (at last!!) and eating great. I had problems with them when i kept them terrestrial...i lost three of them.

 

[Jake]

Re: Skipping the eft stage

When they're about 1.5-2 inches long they'll go aquatic. I've had a couple of fresh morphs stay aquatic, but some drown from that group, so it's risky.

 

[t_summ]

Re: Skipping the eft stage

So, is there no legitimacy to putting them in the fridge?

 

[Jake]

Re: Skipping the eft stage

One guy that I gave a group of eggs to brought me back about 20 juveniles. Only 4 of which had actually gone fully terrestrial. The rest seemed just as healthy, if not healthier than the ones that went to the land. I'm a true believer that if given shallow water, plenty of food and heavy vegetation, this species will readily skip the terrestrial stage. Some disagree with it because it's not natural, but then again, in nature they also aren't pampered like captive newts.

 

[Azhael]

Re: Skipping the eft stage

I´ve got question for you Jake, hope you don´t mind. I have a pair of aquatic vulgaris juveniles too, and they seem perfectly fine, in fact the ones that stayed terrestrial, died.
My question is, what about the adults? Do your adults remain aquatic or do they start with terrestrial/aquatic stages once they mature?

 

[Jake]

Re: Skipping the eft stage

My adults have been aquatic since last year when I got them. They seem just fine living aquatic their whole life, even though in nature they would be terrestrial as juveniles and adults outside of the breeding season.