DosJax 12XU
New member
Hello,
I just found two a.gracile in a recently purchased christmas tree. These two boys are pretty big but being a resident in San Diego, California, I feel pretty bad for having them, but even worse knowing this species is being sent into the state in the pine trees. I knew of one family last year who found a small individual, and they decided to keep it as a pet. I thought that it was simply an isolated incident, but this year I have two and I'm hearing similar stories. I recently found out that many home improvement stores and garden centers get their pine trees from Oregon during the holidays - explaining alot for me!
Although it may just be my CA ignorance to keeping any ambystomatids, but I don't think this species is common in the pet trade. I am aware that many people (mainly members of Caudata.org) keep this species. So, are these salamanders usually attained unintentially by simply celebrating christmas (or any other reason for purchasing a dead pine tree)?
I just found two a.gracile in a recently purchased christmas tree. These two boys are pretty big but being a resident in San Diego, California, I feel pretty bad for having them, but even worse knowing this species is being sent into the state in the pine trees. I knew of one family last year who found a small individual, and they decided to keep it as a pet. I thought that it was simply an isolated incident, but this year I have two and I'm hearing similar stories. I recently found out that many home improvement stores and garden centers get their pine trees from Oregon during the holidays - explaining alot for me!
Although it may just be my CA ignorance to keeping any ambystomatids, but I don't think this species is common in the pet trade. I am aware that many people (mainly members of Caudata.org) keep this species. So, are these salamanders usually attained unintentially by simply celebrating christmas (or any other reason for purchasing a dead pine tree)?