HELP! Anyone who knows Reptiles (wild and or domestic) ***UPDATE 3/22***

[TruckDriver]

I just got home from my girlfriend, and when I was parking my van, I saw this little guy on top of a snow bank in front of my van. He was just about frozen, but still alive. So, I brought it into my house so it wouldn't die. But I'm not sure what it is. Looks like a gecko or Salamander to me? What is it, and how do I keep it alive for now? I know absolutely NOTHING about these. What do I feed them? Do I give it a little water?, Should I put a heat lamp over it tonight? Tell me anything I need to know? It will never survive outside at this time of year. Was 70 today, but going to get colder again for a while.

[mikepmcs]

If it's a lizard of some sort, a heat lamp will be most welcome.  Post some pics!!!! so we kno or can identify what it is.


v/r
mike

[Brock Samson]

that's the supposed to be extinct Brown Spotted Salamander they hibernate in winter as there blood has a natural antifreeze, they are supposed to be extinct, they shut down alot of construction projects around here because of a similar nearly extinct species..
If I were you I'd kill it! 

[konigcharger]

no heat lamp!!!

I'm pretty sure its a mole salamander i had a few of them when i was younger

just get some mud for it to bury itself in. they live most of their life underground, the come up this time of year to mate and lay eggs.

if you considering keeping it for more than a few days ten you will want to get some small worms for it to eat and a water dish

two things to note try not to handle it unless your hands are wet and make sure you have a top on the container

[Brock Samson]

i was kidding of course..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salamander

well kinda'

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&gbv=2&q=rare+salamander+&btnG=Search

[mikepmcs]

oop my bad, considering what Dave(brock) posted though I still stay with the heat lamp idea.

[68chrgrwife]

I don't think it is a mole salamander...ther are stripped vs. this one being spotted.  I do believe that it is a salamander of some sort.  It is going to need a heat source, but not a lot.  Some water (using a small dish is best).  And a "hiding spot".  I have had a few lizards and a spotted gecko, so I  know some stuff.  They eat worms and such...go to your local pet store and they can help you out finding all the proper stuff...they could also help tell you what type of salamander it is.  Hope that helps...good luck and congrat's on being the new "daddy"!

[TruckDriver]

Okay guys, I got it It is a Eastern Tiger Salamander. The largest of all salamanders. This one is a good 6-7 inches long. It's the first Salamander I've seen one since I was kid. And those had blue spots. If you read the links on them, you'll learn what I did. This is the normal time of year for them to be out and about. But this one was literately sitting on top of the snow bank, and I thought it was dead. When I picked it up, it could barely move. Now that it has gotten warm, it is very lively I'm surprised to see it after reading what I did. There is no forest around here. Just the fireman's Park with a few trees. Maybe it was living under someone Mobil home and came out to mate. I'd like to keep it, but now I don't know if I should

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/critter/amphibian/tsalam.htm
http://herpnet.net/Minnesota-Herpetology/salamanders/tiger_salamander.html
http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/endspec/tisafs.html

[skip68]

I just got home from my girlfriend, and when I was parking my van, I saw this little guy on top of a snow bank in front of my van. He was just about frozen, but still alive. So, I brought it into my house so it wouldn't die. But I'm not sure what it is. Looks like a gecko or Salamander to me? What is it, and how do I keep it alive for now? I know absolutely NOTHING about these. What do I feed them? Do I give it a little water?, Should I put a heat lamp over it tonight? Tell me anything I need to know? It will never survive outside at this time of year. Was 70 today, but going to get colder again for a while.

If it survives the night, call your closest wildlife rehab. or especially a zoo that will help the creature! They may raise it to help in the "amphibian" education programs that they have for kids! We used to get sooo many red salamanders covering one of our roads back in Ca. that it turned red (Yuck) from cars running over them,.....but you just couldn't avoid it!

Mrs.Skip68

[Brock Samson]

the largest of all salamanders?..

me thinks not...
unless hat's a big plastic cup..



"Species of salamanders are numerous and found in most moist or aqueous habitats in the northern hemisphere. Most are small but some reach up to 5 feet (1.5 m) in length. They live in brooks and ponds and other moist locations. North America has the hellbender and the mudpuppy which can reach the length of a foot (30 cm) or more. In Japan and China the giant salamander is found, which reaches 5 feet (1.5 m) and weighs up to 30 kilograms"

[skip68]

the largest of all salamanders?..

me thinks not...
unless hat's a big plastic cup..

Brock, you have tooooo much time to google! hahaha! Nice job!
Mrs.Skip68

[mikepmcs]

No kidding, we might have to rank him as the new Google Master instead of T5.  Oh that hurt didn't it.... Dave is gonna give me a lashing for that one for sure.   Love ya Dave


Mike

[Brock Samson]

One more thing:
  it's an Amphibian not a Reptile... 

[TruckDriver]

I think I'm going to let it go tomarrow. I figured, if it normally comes out this time of year, it should be okay. I'll just let it out under my trailer (home).

[dart3404]

cute little guy.

[BMOTOXSTAR]

I live in an old century home & I have tons of those little buggers in my cellar, where I keep the wood burning stove. They crawl out and warm up when I stoke the fire. I will have to get some pics.

[70charginglizard]

I don't think it is a mole salamander...ther are stripped vs. this one being spotted.  I do believe that it is a salamander of some sort.  It is going to need a heat source, but not a lot.  Some water (using a small dish is best).  And a "hiding spot".  I have had a few lizards and a spotted gecko, so I  know some stuff.  They eat worms and such...go to your local pet store and they can help you out finding all the proper stuff...they could also help tell you what type of salamander it is.  Hope that helps...good luck and congrat's on being the new "daddy"!

Cool looking litle guy.
Looks kinda like my gecko with the coloring but definately a salamander.

[TruckDriver]

Whelp, I was going to let him go back into the wild. But I got attached to it. But I don't think he will live to long in the cold were having again. I think it just came out early to mate because we hit 70 on Tuesday. They are not endangered here, so I decided to keep it as a pet. I got it a 10 gallon cage today, a grassy mat to keep moist, a drinking dish and a log to climb on, and 10 live crickets for now for food (I think he all but 1 or 2 already). I will get him a cave next week (they didn't have one where I bought this stuff). For now, he seems comfertable in the toilet paper roll thing. I did my research to make sure I keep it healthy as possable. They averagely live 13 to 15 years and average 7 to 8 inches long (although 13 inches is possable) and eat anything they can get in their mouths. No special heat is needed. Room temp is fine. They guy at the store here said it most likely came from the marsh on the edge of town where he lives. He sees them all the time at his house. That is about a mile from me   That's a long walk for a salamander. The guy at the store said too, that It probably would of died as it probably got lost and making it back would of been slim.

[mikepmcs]

Cool deal, I bet he's happy as he no longer needs to worry where his next meal is coming from.  Nice Job!

v/r
Mike

[Ponch ®]

 

Anyone who knows Reptiles (wild and or domestic)

I work at a law office...whaddaya need to know?