Neotenic_Jaymes
Active member
Memorial day weekend was busy but I had a little time to myself to herp for about 30 mins. Found this guy in about 15 mins. A larval Cryptobranchus alleganiensis/Hellbender. I'm one happy herper and a very lucky one also. Not many people get to see Hellbenders in the wild and even less people get to see larval individuals.
I've read that breeding occurs from summer to fall. In this case I think one was the product of a fall breeding. Since gestation is about 3 months this one probably hatched in late winter of 2014 or early this year. This larva was about 2.5 inches and didn't seem to retain any yolk.
Also found various Desmognathus sp that I didn't even try to ID, because it always feels like a hassle to ID them.
I've read that breeding occurs from summer to fall. In this case I think one was the product of a fall breeding. Since gestation is about 3 months this one probably hatched in late winter of 2014 or early this year. This larva was about 2.5 inches and didn't seem to retain any yolk.
Also found various Desmognathus sp that I didn't even try to ID, because it always feels like a hassle to ID them.
