WFIE (Evansville, Indiana) 22 November 04 Pet Salamander Outlives IN Owner (Kerry Corum)
Although salamanders usually live four or five years in the wild, a 28-year-old pet salamander named Survivor outlived his Muncie owner.
Teacher Gene Frazier bought "Sur" as a tadpole in 1976 at an Indianapolis bait shop and raised him on tiny chunks of lunch meat.
The animal amused his middle school students and spent much of his life in the classroom. But when Frazier died at age 73 last year, the yellow-and-black striped amphibian was left to Frazier's wife, Marilyn.
She says she never thought she'd grow fond of Sur, but she has.
Mark Pyron, a Ball State University biology professor, says salamanders often live four or five years in the wild. He calls Sur's streak pretty phenomenal.
Pet Salamander Outlives Owner