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Elapid

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'Just surfed in while looking for info on N. maculosus. I've just inherited a trio of the critters. I'm out in California and these are not common here. Over the years I've worked with several types of salamanders as well as other herps. I suppose the most interesting story I have to share is about a C.B. colony of neotenic Brown salamanders Ambystoma gracile that I established back in the 1970’s. The founder stock for the colony were a few wild animals caught in a local stream where A. gracile congregated in spring and migrated upstream to spawn. About 1 in 50 of these salamanders were neotenic and mixed in with the fully transformed adults. I don’t know if anyone is working with A. gracile today or what photos are available but the animals I had were similar to wild type Axolotls but being a little thicker and colored an even dark brown with very fine black markings to no markings of any color. In 1976 I was able to produce a some A. gracile x A. mexicanum hybrids which retained neotenic characteristics at least until early 1979. These hybrid animals were overall dark brown with heavy black spotting and bars. I have some old photos somewhere that I’ll dig up and scan if anyone is interested. Among the several aquatic salamander species I kept during this same period were a group of 3 large wild caught neotenic Pacific Giant Salamanders Dicamptodon ensatus ( these might have been D. tenebrosos) and a pair of. N. maculosus but the only breeding successes were A. gracile and A. mexicanum and the hybridization of these species. All of this was done in a 2 bedroom apartment. Tanks were everywhere! In 1979 I got engaged and my soon to be bride gave me the ultimatum “me or the salamanders” and the salamanders became history. At that time I did not know anyone else who shared my interest in keeping and working with aquatic salamanders. Times have sure changed. I hope to hang around here some and lean a thing or two from this group. Kind Regards to All, Elapid
 
Welcome aboard! I'd be interested in seeing those pictures, they sound interesting.

Later,
Justin
 
Hi and welcome! I would be interested in seeing them to!! I look forward to seeing you around. :D

Have a great day!:happy:
Critter Mom
 
Welcome to the forum. I share your interest in aquatic salamanders, and I too have a N. maculosus.

Your story sounds very interesting, and pictures would be great.
 
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