Flyguy784
New member
Good morning everyone. Oh boy, here goes another forum for me. I always feel I may have too many interests. Fishing forums, fossil forums, restoration forums oh my.
Having always been interested in reptiles, particularly snakes and some exotic lizards/tortoises, I've decided to investigate and keep a few saly's. Never that interested in keeping them as I do love holding and handling my captive friends. Obviously with these amphibians, that's not such a good idea. However, in my travels I've been fortunate to find many species native to PA. Spotted, Marbled, Dusky, Slimy etc etc. I've never collected any of the specimens I've found in the wild simply because I was unprepared and ill equipped to provide them a suitable environment. I will not take a specimen from the wild only to have it meet it's demise.
Well curiosity got the better of me and I started doing research on the "larger" salamanders commonly kept as pets. Although I know of locations that harbor Spotted and Marbled Salamanders, I decided to purchase an Eastern Tiger Salamander. There are areas in two adjacent states that have natural populations but they are in decline and I felt it wouldn't be right to further their population decrease.
I built a proper enclosure, procured an assortment of thriving crickets, meal worms, wax worms and earth worms. My little guy arrived two weeks ago. The first week he was a little lethargic and reclusive. I'm sure that's normal. New environment, travel etc. Now, the little bugger (about 5") is thriving. I swear he knows my face and voice. He resides under his tree bark hide until I walk into the room. Then I see him poke his little face out and start wandering around his enclosure. Of course he then gets a snack. He eats like a fiend and is quite adept at grabbing any offering out of my fingers.
My plan is to keep only him for awhile, till I'm sure I've mastered the husbandry of these unusual creatures then procure some other specimens. Perhaps Spotted, although I frequently find Long Tails and just love their appearance. As my cricket "farm" is already producing pin heads I may be able to provide them suitable husbandry.
So,I'm happy to be a member and look forward to many interesting post's and conversations on the forum. . . .
Having always been interested in reptiles, particularly snakes and some exotic lizards/tortoises, I've decided to investigate and keep a few saly's. Never that interested in keeping them as I do love holding and handling my captive friends. Obviously with these amphibians, that's not such a good idea. However, in my travels I've been fortunate to find many species native to PA. Spotted, Marbled, Dusky, Slimy etc etc. I've never collected any of the specimens I've found in the wild simply because I was unprepared and ill equipped to provide them a suitable environment. I will not take a specimen from the wild only to have it meet it's demise.
Well curiosity got the better of me and I started doing research on the "larger" salamanders commonly kept as pets. Although I know of locations that harbor Spotted and Marbled Salamanders, I decided to purchase an Eastern Tiger Salamander. There are areas in two adjacent states that have natural populations but they are in decline and I felt it wouldn't be right to further their population decrease.
I built a proper enclosure, procured an assortment of thriving crickets, meal worms, wax worms and earth worms. My little guy arrived two weeks ago. The first week he was a little lethargic and reclusive. I'm sure that's normal. New environment, travel etc. Now, the little bugger (about 5") is thriving. I swear he knows my face and voice. He resides under his tree bark hide until I walk into the room. Then I see him poke his little face out and start wandering around his enclosure. Of course he then gets a snack. He eats like a fiend and is quite adept at grabbing any offering out of my fingers.
My plan is to keep only him for awhile, till I'm sure I've mastered the husbandry of these unusual creatures then procure some other specimens. Perhaps Spotted, although I frequently find Long Tails and just love their appearance. As my cricket "farm" is already producing pin heads I may be able to provide them suitable husbandry.
So,I'm happy to be a member and look forward to many interesting post's and conversations on the forum. . . .
