While working over the last few weeks, I've accidentally disturbed the hibernation of two newts/salamanders.
The first was the "Ridge and Valley salamander" (Plethodon hoffmani). Pretty small, about 15cm below ground surface, up on a ridge.
The second was the "Eastern Newt" (Notophthalmus viridescens). Also about 15cm below surface... in a hilly/sink hole area.
Both appear to be young (Ridge possibly hadn't even emerged from ground for the first time yet). The Eastern is in the "red eft" stage.
Same basic length, though Eastern has longer legs, and is a bit rounder in the middle than the Ridge. Their current life stages appear to require similar captive habitats, and the two species (Ridge in general plus red eft stage of the newt) have been recorded as occupying the same close area (aka, found within close proximity during scientific sampling).
So for now, I'm setting up an aquarium with soil from where they're each from, leaves, mosses, rocks, etc. It's still a work in progress.
I'm relatively new to newts and salamanders. Closest I've had to a pet salamander is one that used to slip into the house and just chill out on the sofas until we'd catch him and put him outside (only to discover him again a week or two later... sneaky little thing)... and he was far from either of these species.
My question, as a new owner already taking a bit of risk with housing two different species, is what advice can you offer? The vet says the species are fine to house together, but that there is always some risk involved. I'm wondering if anyone here knows anything about the aggression level of these critters, especially the Eastern, who is after all a bit taller and rumoredly more toxic than the Ridge. Can the toxicity of the red eft harm the Ridge? Dietary requirements are about the same, but I'd love any advice there... currently I'm collecting suitable insects/larvae that I dig up while working.
Otherwise, my biggest problem is a lack of specific information about the Ridge Salamander. I've found a lot of general information, but nothing as detailed as what I've found on the Eastern Newt.
Sorry this first post is so long. Thanks in advance for any advice/help/instructions you can offer!
The first was the "Ridge and Valley salamander" (Plethodon hoffmani). Pretty small, about 15cm below ground surface, up on a ridge.
The second was the "Eastern Newt" (Notophthalmus viridescens). Also about 15cm below surface... in a hilly/sink hole area.
Both appear to be young (Ridge possibly hadn't even emerged from ground for the first time yet). The Eastern is in the "red eft" stage.
Same basic length, though Eastern has longer legs, and is a bit rounder in the middle than the Ridge. Their current life stages appear to require similar captive habitats, and the two species (Ridge in general plus red eft stage of the newt) have been recorded as occupying the same close area (aka, found within close proximity during scientific sampling).
So for now, I'm setting up an aquarium with soil from where they're each from, leaves, mosses, rocks, etc. It's still a work in progress.
I'm relatively new to newts and salamanders. Closest I've had to a pet salamander is one that used to slip into the house and just chill out on the sofas until we'd catch him and put him outside (only to discover him again a week or two later... sneaky little thing)... and he was far from either of these species.
My question, as a new owner already taking a bit of risk with housing two different species, is what advice can you offer? The vet says the species are fine to house together, but that there is always some risk involved. I'm wondering if anyone here knows anything about the aggression level of these critters, especially the Eastern, who is after all a bit taller and rumoredly more toxic than the Ridge. Can the toxicity of the red eft harm the Ridge? Dietary requirements are about the same, but I'd love any advice there... currently I'm collecting suitable insects/larvae that I dig up while working.
Otherwise, my biggest problem is a lack of specific information about the Ridge Salamander. I've found a lot of general information, but nothing as detailed as what I've found on the Eastern Newt.
Sorry this first post is so long. Thanks in advance for any advice/help/instructions you can offer!