Photo: What did we find?

Hello all!

So, I have 2 kids and each spring we start a science project with some local critters and watch them transform, and when they're adults we release them back where we found them. Last year we found caterpillars. This year while wandering around my mom's pond we found "frog eggs" that turned out to be salamander eggs!

A few days after we found them:


The day they began to hatch:


1 week old (4/26/17):


I did some quick reading once I realized they weren't frogs and scooped up 3 gallons of pond water full of daphnia for my tank. My salamanders seem to be eating well. However, I would like some advice from the experts here. What's the best way to keep them thriving? Anyone know what species we found? We are in the western end of WV. Judging by the time of year, and the bit of research I've done, my best guess is Spotted Salamanders.

Also, I have them with some frog/toad tadpoles. Is it okay to raise them together, or is it better if I separate them?

Those certainly look like spotted salamander larva to me. Of course, a lot of species look pretty similar while they're so young.

Definitely separate them from the frog tadpoles as soon as possible, never mind the fact that tadpoles and salamander larva can even be cannibalistic towards their own kind due to competition reasons, keeping two different species together would be... troublesome, to say the least.

I haven't raised spotted salamanders specifically, but I do know they tend to go through metamorphosis fairly quickly, within about six weeks. Plenty of cover is important, as well as small, live food like your daphnia.

Most of what i know is kind of general/obvious, but this article seems to go nicely in depth on what you can do to keep them healthy and alive.

Good luck! It's so cool that you're doing this with your children, it's such a fun and educational activity. I'de love it if you kept us updated on your project!