Help ID my new mole salamanders

[BRZin]

My friend continuously scoops them out of her pool filter and releases them only to have several cone back. The area is in southern WI. It looks like the area has both Tiger and Spotted Salamanders. I will try and get a clearer picture but I want them to get settled first. I have them in a 55 gallon aquarium in my cool basement. Thanks.

 

[ron1fritsch]

Hello BRZin:

Looks like an Eastern Tiger. Spotteds will have small round spots. This salamander has blotches. I caught Tigers in Milwaukee, Eagle and in the Kettle Moraine area in WI.

My oldest is 14 yrs old.

Last three years, I raise 6-10 tigers from eggs. They are changing now. I will release them back to their home in Late Sept-Early Oct range during a rainy period.

Good Luck with yours.

 

[BRZin]

Thank you.

 

[Otterwoman]

Really? A tiger? I don't see any yellow on this creature at all?

 

[BRZin]

Maybe a better picture

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

That's an Eastern Tiger Salamander. And a 55 gallon tank setup is ample space. They like cool temps and dirt to burrow in. Unlike their relatives the Barred Tiger Salamander, Eastern Tiger Salamanders are very much more subterranean even after they acclimate to being kept in a tank.

 

[Otterwoman]

Yeah, that second pic looks more like a tiger!