Anyone keep native amphibians?

[davdev]

I was wondering if anyone kept any native amphibians, frogs and toads mostly. More importantly, are there any places that sell them? I know of the sites that sell native fish, I just can't seem to find any amphibians, beyond bullfrog tadpoles, which I am not really interested in.

These are the species that are legal to keep in my state (just not legal to sell, which is why I can't buy locally):

Frogs & Toads--American Bullfrog, American Toad, Fowler's Toad, Gray Treefrog, Green Frog, Spring Peeper, Pickerel Frog, and Wood Frog.

Salamanders & Newts--Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Mudpuppy, Northern Dusky Salamander, Northern Two-lined Salamander, and Eastern Newt.

 

[krichardson]

I come across a salamander in my yard every now and then but I don't keep them.I've kept American toads before and not far from where I live there is a huge toad crossing each spring.

 

[arowanaryan]

I caught a cool black salamander this one time when i was with my aunt who worked for the autobond society and I kept him for 4 months and then he died unexpectedly.... ( Most likely due to the fact that i had no idea what I was doing because I was six at the time) He ate worms and whatever bugs I found crawling around the house and even knew after a while to look up and run to the side of his enclosure when he saw me showing him worms. He was probably about 5 inches and REALLY thick. He was a dark dark black with small to medium yellow spots on the top of his body. I don't know what kind it was because I'm not even that into amphibians and stuff anymore though.

 

[wantokeeptrout]

i had a siren... until a SMALLER hujeta gar decided to try and eat him.

 

[Noto]

For several years I was the caretaker for a fair number of native herps at my university. I had representatives of most of the local amphibian (and reptile) families, including all the species you list or their close relatives, except for the mudpuppy. I'll be glad to offer advice if you have specific questions.

As far as acquiring specimens, if you can't collect them yourself, try the classified ads on herp forums like caudata.org or frogforum.net.

 

[vitaly]

i have also kept 3 lesser sirens before. we cool and active animals and can be kept with non agressive fish

 

[wantokeeptrout]

i have also kept 3 lesser sirens before. we cool and active animals and can be kept with non agressive fish

mine was about 8 inches and alone aside from a 5-6 inch hujeta. I came home one aday after 2 weeks of working out and saw about 5 inches of tail sticking out of the gars mouth. About 3 hours later he gave up and left the body alone...

 

[vitaly]

poor guy. i have kept mine with smaller fish. have you seen greater siren. it is as think as my arm. very cool animal. about 24inches long. i wanted to buy it, but did not have a place for it.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

I had some western toad tadpoles turn to toads in my pond. They are native to the area, I released about a dozen of those tiny toads in my garden. A few months later I saw one hopping around in my garden and was much bigger than when I released it. But then it got cold and I have not seen them since. I hope they are still around, maybe when it warms up in Spring they will come out. I think there is a site or 2 out there that might sell some native amphibians. Do a google search.

 

[davdev]

I think there is a site or 2 out there that might sell some native amphibians. Do a google search.

I have searched on just about every term I can think of, and can't find anyone selling anything other than bullfrogs, which I am not really interested in. Even the frog forums suggested above only seem to have exotics in the classified section. I may have to go "hunting" in the spring, which has the promise of being a very amusing site with me falling into a pond.