Introducing myself

[cheddarsox]

Hello, I'm new to the forums. My name is Linette and I currently live in South Carolina in the USA.

I've studied and kept herps my entire adult life. I've always favored salamanders.

Currently my only caudate is a siren. I purchased at a local pet shop as Siren lacertina, but it may be a lesser siren, I haven't counted the costal grooves yet.

I have kept Siren lacertina in the past. I had my last one, a female, for a decade. She laid eggs several times, but I never had a male to fertilize them.

Over the years I have kept numerous species of ambystoma, newts, and anurans. I am lucky to live in a part of the country that has a large variety of native caudates, and I get to enjoy them in their habitats.

I hope to acquire another siren and create an outdoor habitat for them. I am thinking of using a large rubbermaid stocktank as a pond. I have been experimenting with outdoor habitats over the past several years and have been pleased with results.

Linette

 

[philbaker76]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

 

[Jennewt]

Welcome, Linette. It sounds like you'll fit right in around here:happy:

Have you seen this post?
http://www.caudata.org/forum/showthread.php?t=48254
It may be the first documented captive breeding of lesser Sirens.

I like your idea to have an outdoor enclosure. I am always "tempted" when I see a place selling those big plastic stock tanks. If you can get the tank shaded and underground at least partially, this will help keep the water cool in summer. Good luck!

 

[cheddarsox]

Thanks for the welcomes. Yes, I did read the thread on the lesser siren breeding! How exciting. I am looking forward to being part of this community.

I have a snapping turtle in one of those stock tanks and it has really worked out well.

for the sirens, I plan to put the stock tank in a dog kennel with netting over it, and plant annual vines...such as mimosa vine, scarlet runner beans, or the like. I will also need to create an escape proof cover of some sort...there are bolt holes along the edge, and I am thinking I could create a plastic or plywood flange that goes in 8 inches or so.

I think I will ask for the stock tank for my birthday! I do love to have sirens in the house though...just because they are so personable and fun to watch. I keep mine in my bedroom so I can enjoy it's antics and beautiful movement.

But the idea of providing a really bang up outdoor habitat is one I cannot pass up. I have had a lot of success with mini hardy water lillies and parrot feather...which I think the sirens will greatly enjoy hanging out in.

I think sirens are sinuosity "personified".