MelanieK
New member
Took my family to a forest small stream in South Central West Virginia today. We saw several very small sals, some insects and several good sized crayfish while gently looking under medium to large stones situated in and right next to the water.
We came across a large individual that I have identified as a Desmognathus ochrophaeus (Allegheny Dusky Salamander). This one is approx 6 inches long ( I think that's 15.2 cm ) and a lovely tan-golden color with darker brown spots. Found under a rock that was half in the water.
My questions are:
What's the ideal set up for this creature? I am tending to think the semi-aquatic option would be best. Please give me some ideas for ideal substrate.
By the way, "Dusky" ate a small earthworm from tweezers a few short hours after coming to my home. He's a little timid, but seems to mostly be curious.
His temporary home is a mesh-covered 5.5 gallon with a water dish & dampened "Flukers" moss ( http://www.flukerfarms.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=61) and a place to hide as well.
My concerns:
Is this set up OK for this creature? Is the moss substrate appropriate? Would more water with places to crawl out be better?
PS. I did some research and I can find nothing stating bringing this individual home is not legal. They are reported to be very common and not considered to be on any "threatened" lists. If anyone knows of any legal reasons it should not be captive, please don't hesitate to let me know.
* I just checked on him and he's hanging out in the water dish *
We came across a large individual that I have identified as a Desmognathus ochrophaeus (Allegheny Dusky Salamander). This one is approx 6 inches long ( I think that's 15.2 cm ) and a lovely tan-golden color with darker brown spots. Found under a rock that was half in the water.
My questions are:
What's the ideal set up for this creature? I am tending to think the semi-aquatic option would be best. Please give me some ideas for ideal substrate.
By the way, "Dusky" ate a small earthworm from tweezers a few short hours after coming to my home. He's a little timid, but seems to mostly be curious.
His temporary home is a mesh-covered 5.5 gallon with a water dish & dampened "Flukers" moss ( http://www.flukerfarms.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=61) and a place to hide as well.
My concerns:
Is this set up OK for this creature? Is the moss substrate appropriate? Would more water with places to crawl out be better?
PS. I did some research and I can find nothing stating bringing this individual home is not legal. They are reported to be very common and not considered to be on any "threatened" lists. If anyone knows of any legal reasons it should not be captive, please don't hesitate to let me know.
* I just checked on him and he's hanging out in the water dish *
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