mywan
New member
I don't normally keep caudata. I have several frogs, fish, snails, etc. though. I found a salamander last spring here in Georgia I haven't identified yet. I lost my pics but will get more this coming spring. Perhaps somebody here can give some clues.
Location found: Northwest, Georgia
Appearance: It appeared in all characteristics to be a Dwarf Waterdog (Necturus punctatus), including gills, except one. It has 4 hind toes and 3 front toes. The range of sizes were about 2 to 5 inches (including tail) with a fair increase in body diameter with the larger ones. The location is quiet a bit north of the official Dwarf Waterdog range. I was unable to find anything with that toe count.
Habitat: Apparently nocturnal. Found in small stream within several miles of the beginning and feed with a fairly large watershed. Seems to prefer shallow moving water several inches deep and hides in growth and under stones. When kept in an aquarium for a few weeks it stayed hidden under rocks for days at a time and when it did surface seemed agitated that it couldn't exit the water, so I provided some flotation. It did seem comfortable out of the water so long as it was moist. Predatory fish were at a minimum but not completely absent. Tadpoles (Bufo and several Ranidae) were nearby. Although not listed in Georgia protected list and nutria generally aren't covered in Ga law I recognize that it may be rare. I therefore limited my take to one specimen for observation time.
Food: It did readily eat flake fish food in my aquarium, otherwise unknown.
Season: Mid to late February and march they were numerous and found easily at night with a flashlight, at least in the area in question this past year. Probable breeding time. The water was still too cold to wade in. I seen no signs of them later in the summer.
I alway do my aquatic field trips at night because it makes observation easy without disturbing anything. I will be searching again this coming spring and I'll have a better camera to replace my lost pics. Curious if anybody can offer any suggestions. Without good pics I expect only general possibilities to investigate.
Location found: Northwest, Georgia
Appearance: It appeared in all characteristics to be a Dwarf Waterdog (Necturus punctatus), including gills, except one. It has 4 hind toes and 3 front toes. The range of sizes were about 2 to 5 inches (including tail) with a fair increase in body diameter with the larger ones. The location is quiet a bit north of the official Dwarf Waterdog range. I was unable to find anything with that toe count.
Habitat: Apparently nocturnal. Found in small stream within several miles of the beginning and feed with a fairly large watershed. Seems to prefer shallow moving water several inches deep and hides in growth and under stones. When kept in an aquarium for a few weeks it stayed hidden under rocks for days at a time and when it did surface seemed agitated that it couldn't exit the water, so I provided some flotation. It did seem comfortable out of the water so long as it was moist. Predatory fish were at a minimum but not completely absent. Tadpoles (Bufo and several Ranidae) were nearby. Although not listed in Georgia protected list and nutria generally aren't covered in Ga law I recognize that it may be rare. I therefore limited my take to one specimen for observation time.
Food: It did readily eat flake fish food in my aquarium, otherwise unknown.
Season: Mid to late February and march they were numerous and found easily at night with a flashlight, at least in the area in question this past year. Probable breeding time. The water was still too cold to wade in. I seen no signs of them later in the summer.
I alway do my aquatic field trips at night because it makes observation easy without disturbing anything. I will be searching again this coming spring and I'll have a better camera to replace my lost pics. Curious if anybody can offer any suggestions. Without good pics I expect only general possibilities to investigate.
