monsterkeeper
New member
Hi everyone,
I hope it’s okay to ask this here.
For the past few years, I’ve been fascinated by neotenic tiger salamanders and have been trying to learn everything I can about them. There’s just something incredible about an animal that never makes the transition to land and spends its entire life in that aquatic larval form.
I’ve spent a lot of time reading papers, watching field videos, and searching for information, but firsthand accounts seem to be pretty hard to come by. I was wondering if anyone here has experience with naturally occurring neotenic tiger salamanders or knows of areas where they’ve been documented. I completely understand if you wouldn’t want to share exact locations publicly—I’d be more than happy to talk through private messages if that’s more comfortable.
I’ve seen the odd post here and there mentioning “neotenic” larvae for sale, but I either find them too late or they end up looking a little sketchy, haha.
Some of you might be be thinking, “Why not just get an axolotl?” For me, tiger salamanders are in a completely different category. I love how much variation there is between populations and even within the species. The different morphs are absolutely fascinating, not to mention the cannibalistic morphs. I think they’re one of the coolest examples of how flexible amphibian development can be.
My biggest goal is simply to learn more about these animals and, if the opportunity ever presents itself and it’s legal and ethical to do so, I’d love the chance to observe them in the wild or possibly keep a neotenic individual. They’re easily one of the most fascinating amphibians I’ve come across, and I’d love to connect with people who share that interest.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this. Any advice, experiences, or direction would mean a lot.
I hope it’s okay to ask this here.
For the past few years, I’ve been fascinated by neotenic tiger salamanders and have been trying to learn everything I can about them. There’s just something incredible about an animal that never makes the transition to land and spends its entire life in that aquatic larval form.
I’ve spent a lot of time reading papers, watching field videos, and searching for information, but firsthand accounts seem to be pretty hard to come by. I was wondering if anyone here has experience with naturally occurring neotenic tiger salamanders or knows of areas where they’ve been documented. I completely understand if you wouldn’t want to share exact locations publicly—I’d be more than happy to talk through private messages if that’s more comfortable.
I’ve seen the odd post here and there mentioning “neotenic” larvae for sale, but I either find them too late or they end up looking a little sketchy, haha.
Some of you might be be thinking, “Why not just get an axolotl?” For me, tiger salamanders are in a completely different category. I love how much variation there is between populations and even within the species. The different morphs are absolutely fascinating, not to mention the cannibalistic morphs. I think they’re one of the coolest examples of how flexible amphibian development can be.
My biggest goal is simply to learn more about these animals and, if the opportunity ever presents itself and it’s legal and ethical to do so, I’d love the chance to observe them in the wild or possibly keep a neotenic individual. They’re easily one of the most fascinating amphibians I’ve come across, and I’d love to connect with people who share that interest.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this. Any advice, experiences, or direction would mean a lot.