>>Awesome. I think I might pick up a second to go in with "her", if there's a chance they're truly neotenic! Her gills were smaller when I got her, but they are far fuller now than they were a week ago. One of the brances on the left side is still only a stub, but the rest of them have grown those little "fingers" at the end, rather than simply being stubs like they were. Maybe "she" had them nibbled on in a stock tank, or something. Or maybe aquatic conditions are just better now, and she's changed her mind. I can't be sure, but I'm thinking her tail looks more fin-like than it did when I brought her home, too. Is this common, or even possible?>>

It is possible that the gills are regenerating after being bitten off. Also, it may be a response to less oxygen in the water. Larvae that live in oxygen rich streams have less well developed gills than those that live in oxygen poor stagnant waters like ponds.

>>
>>thanks again for the help! I really can't find much information about these guys at the larval stage.
>>
>>Also- could these be housed with axolotls? Or would I have to worry about one eating the other>>

If they are similar in size than there is no worry they will eat each other. Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) and tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) are close relatives. They are both members of the tigrinum species group. They can in fact produce viable hybrids. Not sure if they will mate though.

>>Do you have any recommended reads about these guys? I'd like to find something a little deeper than the standard page that's coming up on Google. . .
>>
>>thanks,
>>Ronnie

You may want to got to a University library and browse through the section on reptiles and amphibians or go to a pet store and look through those books written about newts and salamanders.

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