Little gilled beggars

[KevinS]

I took a few pictures as I was feeding my Eurycea larvae a few days ago (longicauda and lucifuga). It's amazing to me how much their demeanor changes after they transform. Metamorphs behave like typical plethodontid salamanders (shy), but while they're larvae they are extremely bold. They have no problem coming out to demand food from me any time I open their lids.

Freeze dried bloodworms were on the menu this time.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Sweet! I think this is the first time I have seen larval pictures of these species.

 

[jclee]

They're beautiful! And I applaud your camera for getting such wonderful detail on such tiny little guys.

 

[KevinS]

They're beautiful! And I applaud your camera for getting such wonderful detail on such tiny little guys.

Thanks. They wouldn't be too bad to deal with if I didn't have to shoot through a few inches of water-that makes it really hard to keep the small details in focus.

Sweet! I think this is the first time I have seen larval pictures of these species.

Oh yeah? Here are a few more then.
E. l. longicauda:

E. lucifuga:

 

[Nathan050793]

This is really great stuff, thanks for sharing!

 

[KevinS]

It's morphin' time-2 of the longicauda transformed last week.

You can see small gill remnants on the bottom right individual here.

The next day I found both up at the top of their container.