S. s. bernardezi with young

[BILLY JAMES]

This years first litter of S.s.bernardezi.
They were born over december in water and land but at an advance state with a small amount of gills remaining and full of eggs in there stomach.
5 in total made it 3 were still born.
First photo young with both parents, last photo another female due soon.

 

[stavroske]

This years first litter of S.s.bernardezi.
They were born over december in water and land but at an advance state with a small amount of gills remaining and full of eggs in there stomach.
5 in total made it 3 were still born.
First photo young with both parents, last photo another female due soon.

Very Nice! Can you post a picture of their enclosure please? Have some bernards too and would love to see your succesful enclosure!

 

[BILLY JAMES]

The second female had two in with her today, as i put them in water i took some pics of another being born. So 3 in total today.
She looks thin now so i think thats all.

 

[Molch]

wow, those are awesome pictures of the birth.

so...bernadezi give birth post-metamorphosis, like S.atra?
Also, are they always born tail-first like dolphins? And when you say their stomach was full of eggs, I assume that's what they eat while inside Mama?

Cool. Those pups are just too cute.

 

[Azhael]

Amazing! So lucky you caught her in the act. Remarkable pictures, thank you very much for sharing.

Viviparism is relatively common in the genus Salamandra. It´s not just S.atra and these guys that do it, it has been documented at least in S.algira, S.s.fastuosa and exceptionally S.s.gallaica. Some populations are even facultative and can alternate between reproductive modes which i find very interesting.
I ´m pretty sure they can be born tail first or head first, but i ignore if one is more common than the other.
Oh, and yes, mama provides them with delicious sibling sandwiches.
desarrollo.jpg (image)
canibalismo.jpg (image)

 

[stavroske]

Stunning pictures! :O