Salamander (?) nymph with gills.
Mar 12, 2019 16:01:16 #
Still didn't achieve good focus during a quick shoot but I got to see the external gills.
Mar 12, 2019 17:28:12 #
Mar 12, 2019 17:30:04 #
Mar 12, 2019 18:37:45 #
Mar 12, 2019 19:45:48 #
Mar 12, 2019 19:53:42 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
If you have the opportunity, try a head-on macro.
OK, I will.
Mar 13, 2019 05:44:40 #
I am still having trouble with discounting these as frog tadpoles. I don't think salamanders are that common around here and I know there are frogs in the garden. I have seen images of frogs with these external gills but perhaps they have the wrong ID too. What do my expert friends here think, is it possible?
Mar 13, 2019 11:04:08 #
On the point about frog vs salamander gills: There is the generalization that one difference between the larvae of these amphibians is that frog tadpoles don't show external gills. But it is a simple matter to check, and I have now seen that there are frog tadpoles with external gills. So I am wrong on that.
Mar 13, 2019 11:19:13 #
Brenda, what a lovely little creature you have there. I've never had the pleasure of seeing one other than in pictures so it's nice to know that you are finding them and sharing them with us.
Mar 13, 2019 11:49:59 #
Morning all.
After about an hour looking into this I find.
There are seven native English amphibians. Three newts, two each frogs and toads (accd. to Encyclopedia Brittania). While there are frog tadpoles that have external gills, none in England..
I have raised frog, toad and some salamanders to adult from eggs. In my opinion these are salamanders.
Frog and toad poles are oval and stocky. Gills are covered by an opercullum.
In salamanders body is squarish and tail is somewhat slimmer.
When these develop legs you will know. If these are salamanders they will have ' walking' legs.
Tadpoles sometimes gulp air, same as goldfish. They have both lungs and gills. Gills disappear in MOST adults and they then breath with lungs and thru their skin.
Salamander tadpoles tend to be carnivorous. They eat "mozzies" and copeopods and other creatures. Tiny insects like aphids may be eaten, not bits of meat as I have seen suggested. Fouls the water.
As they mature, provide a way to get out of water.
Enjoy this. Common but rarely seen, it is nature. Just think, only one or two of these will live to breed.
Then just turn them loose in your yard for a repeat performance next spring.
Bill
After about an hour looking into this I find.
There are seven native English amphibians. Three newts, two each frogs and toads (accd. to Encyclopedia Brittania). While there are frog tadpoles that have external gills, none in England..
I have raised frog, toad and some salamanders to adult from eggs. In my opinion these are salamanders.
Frog and toad poles are oval and stocky. Gills are covered by an opercullum.
In salamanders body is squarish and tail is somewhat slimmer.
When these develop legs you will know. If these are salamanders they will have ' walking' legs.
Tadpoles sometimes gulp air, same as goldfish. They have both lungs and gills. Gills disappear in MOST adults and they then breath with lungs and thru their skin.
Salamander tadpoles tend to be carnivorous. They eat "mozzies" and copeopods and other creatures. Tiny insects like aphids may be eaten, not bits of meat as I have seen suggested. Fouls the water.
As they mature, provide a way to get out of water.
Enjoy this. Common but rarely seen, it is nature. Just think, only one or two of these will live to breed.
Then just turn them loose in your yard for a repeat performance next spring.
Bill
Mar 13, 2019 12:20:45 #
Forgot to mention. If you are interested, there is a free download.
A Guide to Larval Amphibian ID in Field and Laboratory.
Perdue U. Good general information.
A Guide to Larval Amphibian ID in Field and Laboratory.
Perdue U. Good general information.
Mar 13, 2019 12:58:25 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
Thanks Mark, your input is always so appreciated by me. Bill has also posted more information, I am excited to think I may have salamandersOn the point about frog vs salamander gills: There is the generalization that one difference between the larvae of these amphibians is that frog tadpoles don't show external gills. But it is a simple matter to check, and I have now seen that there are frog tadpoles with external gills. So I am wrong on that.
Mar 13, 2019 13:17:34 #
Thanks Bill for so kindly making the effort to research this. I would be happy to have salamanders. I have read round and round the subject until I was confused so your input and that of Mark is greatly appreciated.
Mar 13, 2019 14:20:37 #
No wild Salamanders in this country Brenda. have a look at this site:
https://www.froglife.org/info-advice/amphibians-and-reptiles/palmate-newt
I was part of the Herpetofauna group in this country while I was working, This is a better site:
https://www.arguk.org/info-advice/id-guides/11-newt-eggs-and-larvae-identification-guide
https://www.froglife.org/info-advice/amphibians-and-reptiles/palmate-newt
I was part of the Herpetofauna group in this country while I was working, This is a better site:
https://www.arguk.org/info-advice/id-guides/11-newt-eggs-and-larvae-identification-guide
Mar 13, 2019 14:41:05 #
JH2o wrote:
Thanks JH2o, so are you saying we are back to the idea of them being frog tadpoles. It seems this is an ID that can be confusing.No wild Salamander's in this country Brenda
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