Tiger salamander: Difference between revisions

Tiger salamander
	Several in captivity
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Subclass:	Lissamphibia
Order:	Caudata
Family:	Ambystomatidae
Genus:	Ambystoma
Species:	A. tigrinum
Binomial name
	Ambystoma tigrinum; Green, 1825

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Revision as of 09:32, 15 January 2015

The tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) is a species of mole salamander. The proper common name is the eastern tiger salamander, to differentiate it from other closely related species.

Description

Tiger salamanders grow to a typical length of 6–8 in (15–20 cm) and a maximum of 14 in (36 cm) in length, particularly neotenic individuals. Adults are usually blotchy with grey, green, or black, and have large, lidded eyes. They have short snouts, thick necks, sturdy legs, and long tails. Their diets consist largely of small insects and worms, though it is not rare for an adult to consume small frogs and baby mice.

Adults are rarely seen in the open, and often live in burrows that are usually two feet from the surface. Tiger salamanders are almost entirely terrestrial as adults, and usually only return to the water to breed, but also they partly live in both land and water. Although tiger salamanders are terrestrial, they are good swimmers. Like all

eggs

on vegetation. Large-scale captive breeding of tiger salamanders has not been accomplished, for unknown reasons.

The larva is entirely aquatic, and is characterized by large external gills and a prominent caudal fin that originates just behind the head, similar to the Mexican axolotl. Limbs are fully developed within a short time of hatching. Some larvae, especially in seasonal pools and in the north, may metamorphose as soon as feasible. These are known as small morph adults. Other larvae, especially in ancestral pools and warmer climates, may not metamorphose until fully adult size. These large larvae are usually known as waterdogs, and are used extensively in the fishing bait and pet trade. Some populations may not metamorphose at all, and become sexually mature while in their larval form. These are the neotenes, and are particularly common where terrestrial conditions are bad. They are also very hardy.

Diseases

Although immune themselves, tiger salamanders transmit Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which is a major world-wide threat to most frog species by causing the disease chytridiomycosis.^[1] Tiger salamanders also carry ranaviruses, which infect reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Using tiger salamander larvae as fishing bait appears to be a major source of exposure and transport to wild populations. Severe mortality of tiger salamander larvae sometimes occurs from recurring ranavirus infections.

Relative species

The California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) (listed at Vulnerable),^[2] the barred tiger salamander (A. mavortium), and the plateau tiger salamander (A. velasci) were all once considered subspecies of A. tigrinum, but are now considered separate species. Genetic studies made it necessary to break up the original A. tigrinum population, though some hybridization between groups occurs.

The

axolotl

is also a relative of the tiger salamander. Axolotls live in a paedomorphic state, retaining most characteristics of their larval stage for their entire lifespans. While they never metamorphose under natural conditions, metamorphosis can be induced in them, resulting in a form very similar to the plateau tiger salamander. This is not, however, their natural condition, and dramatically shortens their lifespan.

In captivity

Tiger salamanders are a spectacular aquatic pet like the

tomato hornworm

larvae, and even the occasional "pinky" mouse. Food items should be dusted once weekly for adults, and at every feeding for the juveniles that are still undergoing periods of rapid growth.

References

^ "Petwatch". Exotics as Pets.
^ "Ambystoma californiense". IUCN Red List.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Ambystoma tigrinum
LeClere, 2006 Iowa Herpetology Species account, photo and range map of the Tiger Salamander in Iowa
EcoHealth Alliance, Disease Transmission

External links

"Tiger salamander" at the Encyclopedia of Life
Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum), Natural Resources Canada
Tiger salamander, Petwatch

[1] "Petwatch". Exotics as Pets.

[2] "Ambystoma californiense". IUCN Red List.

[1]

[2]

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 ==In captivity==
-Tiger salamanders are a spectacular aquatic pet like the [[Axolotl]] (Ambystoma mexicanum). A 10-15 gallon aquarium is used to house this species. The salamander must be sprayed every 2 days when kept on dry areas.
+Tiger salamanders are a spectacular aquatic pet like the [[Axolotl]] (''Ambystoma mexicanum''). A standard 10 or 20 gallon aquarium makes a good basic enclosure for this large species. Paper towels work well as a substrate because they are easy to monitor for cleanliness. Other substrates that work well are coco [[coir]], [[peat]] or green moss or [[foam rubber]]. Tiger salamanders are voracious feeders, and can be maintained on [[cricket]]s, [[mealworm]]s, [[silkworm]] larvae, [[tomato hornworm]] larvae, and even the occasional "pinky" mouse. Food items should be dusted once weekly for adults, and at every feeding for the juveniles that are still undergoing periods of rapid growth.
 ==References==