Caudata.org's N. kaiseri page: "In light of the endangered status of these animals, it is critically important that the animals now in captivity be bred."
We have five healthy 2001-2002 WC animals available for breeding (2 female, 2 male, 1 TBA). They are kept in individual terrestrial cages at ~15 C, 44% humidity, on a natural Pacific Northwest photoperiod. They are fed crickets and fly larvae weekly. They have been largely unmolested for the last 6-7 years except for by me (I lead school children on tours of our labs).
I am a graduate student in a herpetological lab that houses these animals. I am resourceful, my time is cheap, and I have been aching to try to help ever since I read your page on them. Before I embark, I have a few questions for this forum:
1. Are these animals too old to reproduce?
2. At this point in the year, should I induce a 40-50 day "cold snap" (5-10 C) then place them in an aquarium with gradually increasing temperatures (up to 20-25 C) OR should I move them to an aquarium ASAP (sans cold snap)?
3. Should breeding pairs be placed together in an aquarium or should I place all five together?
4. Any other general breeding/care advice?
5. Assuming we can generate healthy offspring, can you connect me with legitimate people/institutions with proper resources for caring for N. kaiseri?
Thank you!
We have five healthy 2001-2002 WC animals available for breeding (2 female, 2 male, 1 TBA). They are kept in individual terrestrial cages at ~15 C, 44% humidity, on a natural Pacific Northwest photoperiod. They are fed crickets and fly larvae weekly. They have been largely unmolested for the last 6-7 years except for by me (I lead school children on tours of our labs).
I am a graduate student in a herpetological lab that houses these animals. I am resourceful, my time is cheap, and I have been aching to try to help ever since I read your page on them. Before I embark, I have a few questions for this forum:
1. Are these animals too old to reproduce?
2. At this point in the year, should I induce a 40-50 day "cold snap" (5-10 C) then place them in an aquarium with gradually increasing temperatures (up to 20-25 C) OR should I move them to an aquarium ASAP (sans cold snap)?
3. Should breeding pairs be placed together in an aquarium or should I place all five together?
4. Any other general breeding/care advice?
5. Assuming we can generate healthy offspring, can you connect me with legitimate people/institutions with proper resources for caring for N. kaiseri?
Thank you!