Tiger Sally

[Reggie]

When you go to the bait store and you see those HUGE 10inch Tiger Sally still in larvae stage. If I were to bring some home to put into aquaria, how do I maintain them so that it will remain larvae ? or ... is it up to the salamander itself ? It's really weird to see those 3 inch terresterial stage and yet alot of 10inch animals still in larvae with HUGE gills , it's very impressive. What are the elements to consider that make an individual salamander turn terrestrial stage and another doesn't ? Again, is this just an indivdual decision or are there certain elements in the water or environment? I've noticed even some axolotls turn terrestrial as well........

[NicholasJeung]

Alright to get things started, andersons and axolotols are famous because they remain in their juvenile aquatic stage their whole life, something in them tells them to remain an aquatic salamander. If the mud puppy you are going to buy is a Ambystoma tigrinum or a tiger salmander then it will morph on its own no need to coax it, but as soon as you see the gills start to shrink maybe lower the water level and add a land area. So if you are looking for a salamander that stays in a larval state go for an axolotl just look em up they are pretty sweet looking!

-Nick

[Kurt]

Just want to point out that mudpuppies and tiger salamanders are two totally different animals, from totally two different families and genera.

mudpuppy - Necturus maculosus, Proteidae
tiger salamander - Ambystoma tigrinum/mavortium, Ambystomatidae

[Reggie]

Nicholas , not all Tiger Salamanders morph into terrestrial stage. Years ago I've seen 11 - 12 inchers in total larvae stage. I'm sure there as been a study or two why some go to land and some stay aquatic , just gotta dig it up. But my guess would be genetics with certain localities.

[NicholasJeung]

ohh thanks for telling me i actually didnt know that some didnt morph! Where i live most people just refer to the larval state of a tiger as a mud puppy didnt know they were seperate species. If you happen to find the thread or article on why they morph or not, would you mind posting it? i would love to learn more even thpugh i am mostly a crested gecko and pacman frog guy.

-Nick