Do salamanders/newts traver to breeding sites in streams?

sde

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 5, 2012
Messages
1,891
Reaction score
48
Points
48
Location
Seattle area Washington
Country
United States
Display Name
Seth
Hi all,

So I read in a book that salamanders/newts will travel to their breeding ponds/marshes/sites in a stream. So basically they hop in a stream and ride it all the way down to the breeding grounds.

Is this true? I think it was written in a book that was written in the 80's so I don't know how trustable it is.
If so, what species do this and approximately what is the percentage of the individuals that do?
Because if this is true, I want to set up some traps ( net and funnel traps ).

And also, will they travel in streams even if the streams don't go all the way to the breeding site?

Thanks! -Seth
 
It seems possible to me that any trap that actually traps the animal would drown it.

What is the title/author of the book? The reputation of the book and author matters more than when it was published. Things weren't all in the dark ages in the 80s:rolleyes:
 
I've heard of this with Taricha species mostly, I doubt very much they "ride the current" to the site of where they hatched. I see a lot of T. rivularis purposefully walk along stream banks, and have observed groups of T. torosa migrating to the same pond for the better part of 20 years. I don't doubt their homing instincts at all but I think once they get to the body of water they intend to breed in it basically stops there.

I don't think setting up funnel traps or nets in streams will give you any usable data and will most likely just harm whatever gets caught in them.
 
Woops! Messed up the title.

Ok, I wont trap any then. Thanks for your thoughts on that, I would hate to hurt them!

So I am not positive that this is the book I read it in, though I am pretty sure. I could go back and check, but I don't know where I read it in the book :eek:
I think it was "Amphibians and Reptiles Of The Pacific Northwest, by Ronald A. Nussbaum, Edmund D. Brodie Jr. and Robert M. Storm.

OK, thanks for the info otolith! -Seth
 
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
  • Shane douglas:
    with axolotls would I basically have to keep buying and buying new axolotls to prevent inbred breeding which costs a lot of money??
    +1
    Unlike
  • Thorninmyside:
    Not necessarily but if you’re wanting to continue to grow your breeding capacity then yes. Breeding axolotls isn’t a cheap hobby nor is it a get rich quick scheme. It costs a lot of money and time and deditcation
    +1
    Unlike
  • stanleyc:
    @Thorninmyside, I Lauren chen
    +1
    Unlike
  • Clareclare:
    Would Chinese fire belly newts be more or less inclined towards an aquatic eft set up versus Japanese . I'm raising them and have abandoned the terrarium at about 5 months old and switched to the aquatic setups you describe. I'm wondering if I could do this as soon as they morph?
    +1
    Unlike
    Clareclare: Would Chinese fire belly newts be more or less inclined towards an aquatic eft set up versus... +1
    Back
    Top