Transporting Tiger Larvae

[Rikkoshaye]

Hello all, I'm back again with another question!

I currently have three Tiger Salamanders, two of which are still in the larvae stage and one of which has morphed. For the entire summer I've been working away from home (in North Dakota), and since it's almost time for college I will be moving back in about a week (to Minnesota). My question is, what would be the best way to transport my larval Tigers? The drive will be about 10-12 hours long, though it is all freeway driving so there will be minimal stops. My current plan is to place them within a 1.5 gallon tank and cushion it with towels between my front and back seat, hopefully reducing the vibrations and movement of the drive. I just want to make the trip as painless and stress-free as possible for the little guys, so any help or insights anyone has would be appreciated. (I figure if people can ship Axies through the mail, I can easily drive my Tigers back home!)

I don't anticipate much trouble with my morphed Tiger; he will probably stay burrowed in his substrate for most of the ride and not really notice. At least I hope this will be the case!

Anyway, any tips and suggestions people have would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[gcollin]

Sounds like they should be okay with the you have thought of, or somebody (if somebody will be in the car with you) could keep them on their laps for the drive (just an idea though).


-Collin

 

[Nathan]

I prefer transporting aquatics in a container with rounded or no corners and a sealable lid; tupperware works great. Fill the container as close to the brim as possible to reduce sloshing, place it in a cooler, and open the container whenever you stop for gas to allow gas exchange. Drop a few cubes of ice or a cold drink in the cooler if it gets too warm. Even better: place the larvae in Kordon Breathing Bags. Leave no air in the bag; gas exchange occurs through the plastic. I've used these to transport all kinds of aquatics and have never lost anything in them.

 

[SludgeMunkey]

My method of choice is one of those cheap Styrofoam coolers with some damp paper toweling and a cold pack duct taped to the inside of the lid. The damp paper toweling prevents sliding and cuts down of vibration.

These coolers do not leak, and the cold pack will slow down your critter to help prevent stress. The larvae can be kept in deli containers with a bit of an airspace at the top. The damp paper toweling prevents sliding and cuts down of vibration.

Skip feeding them for a day or two before leaving to prevent them from fouling the water.

The other advantage is no sharp corners, and no dangerous sharp edges from accidentally broken glass or plastic.

 

[Rikkoshaye]

Thanks so much for the replies! I never thought of cooling my Tigers down, but it makes a lot of sense that this would reduce stress and make the trip a lot safer for them. I'll have to pick up some cheap tupperware before I head home; the rounded corners to prevent injury is another thing I didn't think about, but is a good suggestion. Thanks guys!

 

[Rikkoshaye]

Hey all, I just wanted to update and thank you all again for your suggestions. I ended up fridging my salamander larvae the night before the big drive (in addition to transporting them in a cooler with ice), which slowed them down quite a bit and seemed to soften the stress of the journey. Though I'm sure they did not like the 10+ hours in the car I'm happy to say they all made it just fine. The bigger of the two ate within the day, and the smaller chomped down on a bite of worm just a few hours ago, so even though the ride stressed them out I think they're both going to be just fine.

Thanks again for the help! I don't think my little guys would be fairing so well if it weren't for your advice.