Ambystoma Gracile for Christmas

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 found one outside of my dorm last year (I live in Washington so it wasn't such an extreme journey). I kept him for a few weeks but I wasn't sure if I was benefiting or hurting him (never saw him eat) so I wished him the best and sent him back on his way. But since you're in San Diego, I guess your options are more limited. I kept him in a bin with cocofiber to burrow in and fallen leaves to hide under. Threw some worms in there.

Your right, this species is definitely not that common in the pet trade, at least not as popular as A. tigrinum, A. maculatum, or even A. opacum.

Too bad I couldn't ever get salamanders in my trees when I was able to get them. All I ever found was a dead squirrel.

That is amazing, and really cool! they are beautiful salamanders. I never heard of finding salamanders in Xmas trees. It's almost a reason to believe in Santa again.

Well I'm definately buying a fake tree next year. Not that they are a burden, just unexpected. I have them set up, they both ate some roaches today, and they actually have enough differences for me to beleive that they are actually a pair. I took an old vivarium I was originally growing plants in for some of my adult dart frogs and took out the plants and let the gracile take over. It looks like the frogs will have to wait, but at least they end up with lush 20 gallon vivariums.

Where did you find it on the tree exactly?? I find it hard to believe a salamander would take residence in a pine tree....unless it was laying on the ground for some time....

Okay...first off the Wandering Salamander lives in the canopy of redwood trees so why couldn't a salamander hide in a thickly branched christmas type tree? Serious question...not sarcastic.

Secondly...I think it might be a good idea for those of us living in California to go to our local tree lots and see if we can find anymore...perhaps write to the DFG and see what can be done about the destruction of the A. gracile habitat.

Also to save these salamanders from possibly being flushed, dryed out, or beaten to death by a house cat.

Hey Lexmiller,
I think the wandering salamander lives in dense patches of detritus matter found on large redwood branches and feeds off the insects up there. I dont think "christmas sized" trees would have ability to support that kind of microecology. I would think it was from the trees being bundled up and left on the ground for long periods of time. I would imagine that a on a deforested tree farm the slamaders would run for any available cover. Just my theory. But Im a little upset that Ive never had a salamander in my christmas tree before (jelous!!!!).

dane_zu said:

Where did you find it on the tree exactly?? I find it hard to believe a salamander would take residence in a pine tree....unless it was laying on the ground for some time....

Click to expand...

That's a really good question, I don't know. They had fallen onto the bed of the truck from the tree. I did find them beneath the tree when I moved it, but I can't imagine how they manage to hang in there. I would think that when the trees are cut down by the thousands, they would have to be left on the ground in huge piles for at least one night (if not longer). Perhaps, without the shade from the trees, the sun dries the ground faster and the salamnders move under (and inside of) the pine trees.

I'm shrugging my shoulders too here...

typically to ship trees to a lot they bind the branches up with wire and are stacked in a pile to be shipped on a flatbed... So the branches are pulled close to the tree's trunk, making it more compact

I can see salamanders finding these piles of timber and greenery to be very nice, humid places to hide. I would guess that they crawled in there when they were waiting to be shipped

Once it got to SOCAL I'd bet they hung in the trees because it's the safest, moistest place they had... until they found the bed of a pick up....


Very interesting and a very cool xmas gift...

I have heard of snakes and spiders making long trips in the bottom of flower pots sent to Depot and places like that but a salamander is new to me. Pull your plants out and look in the bottom of the pot before you buy. I personally brought home a green Anole on a plant once.

That reminds me of when I found pacific tree frog tadpoles in an aquatic plant pot!