C.pyrrhogaster larvae

[RobM]

The thing I have enjoyed most about raising the C.pyrrhogaster larvae so far is seeing them adapt to their changing bodies.
When they first start to feed (once their egg yolk is gone) they hunt like some species of fish. They wait for their prey to be directly in front of them, and make a quick hop forwards to grab it.
When they have grown legs, I have seen them first start to use them by stabilising themselves upright, both after a movement and when resting stationary. Next I observed them using their legs to walk along the bottom and get themselves closer to prey, before they hop forwards to catch their food.
I had great joy in seeing for the first time, the first really newt like movement from the larvae. This came in the form of them turning their heads, which was enabled by the resistance the arms provided, which allowed them to instigate neck movement. I then started to see this in use when hunting and feeding, they were adapting to the new movement ability, by catching prey that were not just directly in front of them.
I have put together a video compilation of very short clips showing some of what I have just mentioned so that I can share. The video is probably best viewed fullscreen, I hope you enjoy.
YouTube - Cynops pyrrhogaster larvae (feeding with front limbs)

 

[evut]

They're looking great! I love the way they try to walk on their hind legs before they've grown properly.

The best thing I've seen is when they eat a bloodworm while their head is still see-through. It keeps going in and coming out like a banknote in a vending machine, and you can see it inside their head as well. If you could try to film this it would be brilliant

 

[Azhael]

Nice!
Those are some lovely images, Rob, thanx for sharing them with us!
They are adorable little things. It´s always anuran tadpoles that inspire that childhood fantasy with metamorphosis, but caudates are quite the experience too!


I like it when you feed them whiteworms and they wriggle out through the gills xD It´s so gross it´s good.

 

[RobM]

I'm not sure they are big enough for blood worm yet, the largest guy (the larvae that is in the vid) is only just over 1.5cm long, but I'll try to get a video of that at some point, and whiteworm I guess

 

[Molch]

great video and your descriptions are right on. They grow up fast - before you know it, they'll be asking for the car keys.