Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently acquired two rather large Sirens. I believe they are either Lesser or Greater sirens (intermedia or lacertina, respectivly) but I am having a hard time identifying them. Information on their care has been scarce. As of right now, they are in a 10 gallon aquarium with a filter and a sandy bottom.

I would like to give them a 20 gallon aquarium with a filter and a sandy/graveled bottom. I was told they prefer slightly cooler water, so we aren't going to bother with any type of lighting or heating. I would like to find some sturdy water plants to place in there for a more natural look. For food, I was going to offer minnows, ghost shrimp, worms, perhaps crickets, and maybe bloodworms. does this all sound alright? these are truly amazing little animals (well, they are hardly little, but anyways) and I would like to see them as happy as possible. Also, this is a zoo exhibit, so even though they would rather hide themselves completly in mud, that isn't exactly an option!

I have some pictures of them if anyone would like to try and taxofy them.

thanks,
Brit

Try here for some info on them and there are pictures to help you id the animals.

http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Siren/S_intermedia.shtml

What Zoo?

Ed

thanks for the site, I'll check it out later.

it's Scovill Zoo in Decatur, Illinois. Kind of a small zoo, but still pretty nice. We got cheetahs and a camel recently, so we're pretty happy about that

thanks again,
elg

I was wondering as we just surplused out some Siren lacertina to a Zoo in the midwest.
Ed (from the Philly Zoo Herp Department).