Hello

[ACTmom]

Hi, I'm a mom of a seven year old owner of what we think is a larval tiger salamander. It was given to him by someone whose "friends" bought him a "baby dinosaur" at the mall. Skimo was still living in a tiny container when he came to us. My son used his birthday money to buy an all in one setup at the pet store for our friend. We just sort of followed the pet store employee advice and then we found your site. About a week ago, Skimo started floating. I'm joining this forum to learn more and ask more in depth questions, so that I can take better care of Skimo.

 

[Abrahm]

Welcome to Caudata.org!

This is certainly the place to ask those questions and get good answers. You and Skimo will find this is a great place to learn.

 

[Lasher]

Its nice to see parent and larvae teams taking responsibility for their unexpected pets Welcome, and I hope we can help.

 

[ali000]

Hi
seems to a lot of this 'baby dinosaur' thing going on, I wonder if it's all the same guy

anyway, welcome to the forum, I'm so glad that Skimo found a home that takes time to learn about him. I'm sure you will have lots of fun together

 

[Kaysie]

The 'baby dinosaur' thing only happens about this time of year, when people collect the larvae.

 

[ACTmom]

So do you think Skimo is probably a tiger salamander? A pet store employee told me that all the "baby dinosaurs" from the mall were tiger salamanders and that we need to be sure he has a way to get out of the water for when he morphs. He has a damaged gill on one side, but his other side seems fairly large and neither has changed since we got him.

 

[Jacquie]

Hi ACTmom,

Could you post a photo of Skimo?

Cheers Jacq.

 

[ali000]

It's a strong possibility

as Jacq said, a photo would help

 

[Jennewt]

Welcome, ACTmom, there have been some other recent discussions of these critters that might help you, for example:
http://www.caudata.org/forum/showthread.php?t=54830
and be sure to read the caresheet:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Ambystoma/A_tigrinum.shtml

 

[ACTmom]

Thanks for all of your help and encouragement. Here is a picture. I've been "talking" with someone on the axolotl page and learning so much. I realize he is probably malnourished, but that's something we'll be working on. This is pretty much how he looked when I got him, so until I saw pictures of normal sized tigers on this site, I didn't know he needed more food. He has been in the fridge for about 48 hours to help with his floating, and as you can see now, he is no longer floating. I'm going out of town and friend will be doing his water changes everyday. Then when I get back I will get my tank cycled and start to fatten him up and everything should be a lot better for the little guy. Thanks for all your help and encouragement.

 

[Jennewt]

Even in the fridge, he may still be willing to eat. Try offering small worms.

[[Note to varanidboy: I moved your post to its own thread in Introductions.]]

 

[Amanda001]

I actually got one too. I thought it was an axolotl but I'm thinking that I was wrong. I got them both from the mall. heres a picture of the one that looks more like tiger and his name is Darwin. Winnie, my other creature has dots on her. I don't know if she is sick or if she is morphing. shes hanging out at the top of the tank, losing gills, shedding, not eating much, and trying to climb out of the water and on top of plants that I have in the tank. The guy who sold them gave me a piece of paper that says "INSTRUCTIONS" at the top with simple needs of the animal, it did not say anything about morphing. He has been breeding these things for apparently 15 + years. I'm pretty pissed that anyone would actually do that to people. I have spent so much money now trying to take care of them but I'm still so lost.

 

[Amanda001]

Here is my other "dinosaur baby" creature her name is Winnie, she is the one I think is morphing. This was the day that I got her.