Hi Dave,

What reference did you use to for your identification?

I suspect I have some bad news for you. The only way to differentiate between natans and comperssicauda is through the cloacal morphology by counting the radial lines on the cloaca (which means that the animal has to be either deceased or anesthetized). (This is via Mark Wilkinson). All of the Typhlonectes that have been imported are T. natans as per Mark Wilkerson (and personal communications with Marvalee Wake, and R. Wayne VanDevender). The differences as published in the commonly available books such as in Amphibians in Captivity", by Marc Staniszewski are erroneous. In addition I have had confirmed T. natans that ranged in colors from dark slate gray to greenish-yellowish-grey and showed variability in color over the last 11 years.


Ed

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