Tiger Salamander HELP!!!

[shmifty5]

Okay, so my step-brother heard about my loss (RIP figgy) and decided that I need a new friend. He was going to order a tiger from the local pet shop but as luck would have it he noticed a tiger splashing around in the invert (salt water separated out from fossil fuels) and he rescued it and brought it home for me.

I know that taking animals from the wild is wrong and I scolded him about it but the harm is already done. I have set-up a basic 15 gallon plastic tub for him, it is filled half way with soil I collected from my back yard and it has a jerry rigged cave for him to live in. I also collected some earth worms for him to munch on and my dad is getting home soon so I shouldn't have to worry to much about the inexpensive supplies.

Is this good enough for the little guy? and if anyone is concerned about releasing him back into the wild there isn't any near by, it has been really hot here as of late and most of the rain ponds have dried up and the nearest body of water to the salt plant is a massive salt lake. Please help me out here.

 

[shmifty5]

Oh, I almost forgot, he is definitely a A. mavortium mavortium, so I know it isn't illegal to gather them. It's probably for the best that he is with me as the workers of the salt plant have a game (or did have a game) where they collected as many of these guys as possible and then dumped them into the pump which turned them into a "paste" it is god awful but unfortunately these guys are considered rats out here, it's really strange.

Thanks bellabelloo!

 

[shmifty5]

okay, so after washing him off he is actually a A. movortium melanosticum, is the care any different from A. mavortium mavortium?

 

[pete]

I don't think you need to feel guilty about taking him from the wild. I think that ethically it's debatable whether it's better to fund the mass collection of these salamanders from the wild by purchasing one, or taking one individual on your own.

Here's a nice debate on the issue.
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f1-gen...n-news-members/58671-wc-vs-cb-discussion.html

You're set up sounds reasonable, but be sure to read up these links. There's no difference in care for the different subspecies, as long as they're terrestrial

Caudata Culture Species Entry - Tiger salamander
Axolotls - Metamorphosed & Tiger Salamanders

 

[shmifty5]

thanks pete, i have already reviewed those sites, i was just wondering if my setup would be hospitable for the little cutie.

thank you!

 

[pete]

No problem. Be sure to keep us updated on its progress and maybe some photos, too. I like melanostica.

 

[shmifty5]

i would take pictures but my camera (which i just bought btw) is broken, so i have to wait until they can repair it, lol.

i will definately keep ya'll updated, just one last question, how long will it be before he starts to get settled in? right now he is looking at me like im some kind of frankenstien creation.

 

[pete]

Actually, he's probably just sizing you up to figure out the best way to eat you. Give him a week. Once you have him eating and burrowing you'll know he's doing alright.

 

[shmifty5]

well he's already eaten a couple earthworms so i hope he doesn't get out and murder me, lol, thanks pete.

 

[deliriah]

He'll get used to you. As for murder make sure you get one post out to us if he does come to get you. I want to know so I don't end up the next victim of caudates gone postal! Enjoy him. sounds like a good save, wild caught or not.