Blue spotted salamander breeding?

[giantsalamander]

Hey all,

I'm looking to breed my blue spotted salamanders and would appreciate any help.
Thanks

 

[oregon newt]

Sorry, but Ambystomatids are very rarely bred in captivity. To be honest, you would have a very hard time trying to get them to breed, with no success. I guess you'll just have to enjoy the animals you have.:happy:

 

[jbherpin]

Sorry, but Ambystomatids are very rarely bred in captivity. To be honest, you would have a very hard time trying to get them to breed, with no success. I guess you'll just have to enjoy the animals you have.:happy:

I agree, the space needed and so on makes them very hard to breed.

-jbherpin-

 

[mechanic380]

I agree, the space needed and so on makes them very hard to breed.

-jbherpin-

I have seen many people post about these outdoor enclosures in Europe. However I have never seen any evidence. Does anyone know how to find this information. I only ask because I am also interested in breeding Ambystomatids. Even if I never tried it would still be really cool to see a large outdoor breeding project. Sounds like the topic for a book for one of you traveling herp. experts.
"Breeding Newts and Salamanders"

 

[jbherpin]

I have seen many people post about these outdoor enclosures in Europe. However I have never seen any evidence. Does anyone know how to find this information. I only ask because I am also interested in breeding Ambystomatids. Even if I never tried it would still be really cool to see a large outdoor breeding project. Sounds like the topic for a book for one of you traveling herp. experts.
"Breeding Newts and Salamanders"

This is from Jennewt's web site, and seems to be the most viable option for smaller Ambystomatids.

http://www.caudata.org/people/JM/pond.html

The only concern is the escape factor, but she housed axies if I'm not mistaken. Seems to me that a 3" lip around the edges would be enough to keep them in... I hope that helps!

Also, thanks to Jennewt for the step by step building process and care info!

-jbherpin-

 

[mechanic380]

I have seen that enclosure and was really impressed. So I guess I get the idea. I was thinking more like an area outdoors that was screened over somehow. Thanks for digging that up.

 

[xMIDNIGHTx]

One thing to keep in mind is that everyone cannot have a true outdoor enclosure. Depending on temperatures in your area having something outside would not be feasible. Here in Wisconsin there are too many extremes, even if I kept them indoors during the extreme hot or cold parts I would end up keeping them outside for less than three months of the year. IMO, unless your enclosure is large (large pond or housing structure) which allows the salamanders the true ability to choose the temperature and moisture of their choosing it would be more harm than good. If you had cooler more constant weather this would be possible or if you followed what Jen did (what want a great job it is!)

I am not saying it is not possible but it would take alot of work, special planning, and constant monitoring. I know this has been talked about before but it is not fully understood what the natural cues are for breeding these guys. Fluctuation in humidity, temperature, and light could all collectively play a part in the breeding process.

Mitch

 

[caudatadude28]

Another thing that I dont think was mentioned is that most ambystomids come back to the same pond every year to breed, usually the pond they morphed from. So if someone wanted to breed them they should get them as eggs or larvae and raise them in the pond that they will be breeding in.

 

[giantsalamander]

Thanks.I'm going to let nature take it's place and see what happens

 

[aramcheck]

I have seen that enclosure and was really impressed. So I guess I get the idea. I was thinking more like an area outdoors that was screened over somehow. Thanks for digging that up.

You could check http://outdoorvivaria.proboards.com/index.cgi, some of the board people also post there.

 

[mechanic380]

Thank you aramcheck. That looks like a good resource. I'm sure I will waste hours browsing around.