Verrucosus on land

[joonas]

I have two salamanders that are sold as T. verrucosus. They also look like ones, like "Light" variant", to be more exact. Photos of them can be found at http://www.sammakkolampi.net/lajeja/verrucosus.html

Yet they are very terrestrial. They never go in to water. And if I put one in water, it comes immediately back to solid land.

They are not anymore young animals, and I have a friend who has a similar kind of animal that is almost 10 years old.

Does anyone have similar experiences? Is this possibly a new variant, new/other species or just individual variation? Or what do I have in my hands?

 

[ira]

they definatly look like verrucosus as opposed to shanjings. maybe check the water conditons to make sure the ph's and such arnt out of whack, i hear they can be very picky about the water quality.

 

[ralf]

It's perfectly normal for these animals to stay terrestrial over long periods of time if they are given the chance to do so.

 

[joonas]

Ralf: Might "long periods of time" mean entire lifetime? Or should I expect that they go aquatic someday in future?

 

[mark]

When I received my first verrucosus, they also lived completely terrestrial. I put them in an enclosure 1/2 land 1/2 water. After a winter period at 10 degrees C. they entered the water and began depositing eggs.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with them wanting to stay on land. When they're ready they'll enter the water.

Greetings Mark

 

[ralf]

Joonas, they will enter the water again eventually. I agree with Mark, you should offer both land and water. In their natural surroundings the animals live terrestrially during long periods of the year and enter the water for reproduction usually during rainy season. Due to the distribution of this species complex this may happen between May and October. Important triggers seem to be rain and rising temperatures.
However, your animals might also be stressed and only need some time to settle down. If you provide some food, moisture, dry spots and cover the animals will feel perfectly well on land.