ACF
New member
HI, I'm managing an Animal Care Facility for a university and have a researcher wanting to raise and breed our local spotted salamanders - Ambystoma maculatum. I'm reading like crazy all over this site (SO much great stuff!) but still not finding anyone who has successfully breed these animals in captivity.
We have many larvae now metamorphosing into salamanders. (So darn cute) We have facilities to regulate temperature and photoperiod, but I'm not sure if I can grow them to maturity faster by not simulating winters. What would be their ideal temperature for growth and health? Or do they NEED winter?
The researcher wants breeding as soon as possible. My thought is that maturity takes time. But how much time? They usually breed in their 4th year in the wild. Can they grow to maturity faster in captivity?
Can they even be bred in captivity? Kind of an important question since the time and effort of raising these guys will be substantial.
Any thoughts, experience or suggestions ever so welcome. Thanks
ACF
We have many larvae now metamorphosing into salamanders. (So darn cute) We have facilities to regulate temperature and photoperiod, but I'm not sure if I can grow them to maturity faster by not simulating winters. What would be their ideal temperature for growth and health? Or do they NEED winter?
The researcher wants breeding as soon as possible. My thought is that maturity takes time. But how much time? They usually breed in their 4th year in the wild. Can they grow to maturity faster in captivity?
Can they even be bred in captivity? Kind of an important question since the time and effort of raising these guys will be substantial.
Any thoughts, experience or suggestions ever so welcome. Thanks
ACF