Evening star., 1949-05-27
This and That
By Charles 4, Tracepell

Judy, little girl over in Arlington. wants
to know about salamanders.
II have had many experiences with pets" :"
she writes, land this time 1t Is salaman-
der"
There are about 10 kinds of salamanders
found in North America.
Brown salamaffders. dusky salamanders.
spotted salamanders--take your choice.
provided you like salamanders. Of course.
If you don't. then stick to dogs. cats even
possums. for salamanders are not for you.
= +
Many centuries ago salamanders were
thought to be able to live in fire.
That Just isn't so. but many people be-
lieved 1t for many years.
Today various cooking articles and even
fireplace pokers, are called salamanders. the
idea going back to that other one, that these
amphibians can come out Of fire unharmed.
Nevis and salamanders belong to a class
Of creatures called the tailed -amphibians.
or water residents, to distinguish them from
frogs and toads.
Although these nevis and salamanders
look very much like lizards, they are more
closely related to the fishes. During their
childhood. we might say, they have gills.
which only fishes have.
Every one has seen tadpoles. the funny
little things. all TAIL that some people bring
home to the tank. or aquarium.
And every one knows how the taddy
finally sprouts legs and learns how to hop.
All Of these creatures, including the
small tortoises. usually called turtles are
interesting to keep as pets. Each sort re-
quires certain foods. and often has its own
ailments in captivity.
An old fish aquarium (not bowl Is good
n IN ha Ind
and earth may be placed. and q pool made
out Of an old bowl. All Of these funny
creatures need both water and earth
They need some sunshine and likewise
shade, and should be able to go from one
to another at will.
A screen or even sheet of glass is best
kept over the top. No matter how tight
the lid seems to At. there will be enough air
get in.
1t Is impossible to say how long a sala-
mander will live in captivity. since the con-
ditionS are not the same as in the wild.
Foods should be as near live" as possible.
good bits Of meat and in some cases insects
and worms.
Tiny pieces Of liver are good. Sometimes
when taddy or salamandy is ailing. some
Of the multiple vitamins viii help them.
Some people feed salamanders twice a
week. but three times is better. and IL care
is used. little food may be offered every
day.
After all. II you were salamander. you
would probably eat more than two times q
week. wouldn't you?
One of the oldest creatures we ever had
in an aquarium was called weather fish,
It resembled little eel. with its two little
eyes and fms.
It was supposed to show great activity
when a storm was coming up. hence the
common name
What really excited 1t. though, was the
prospect Of food.
Then 1t would come 10 the surface. beat
ing all the fishes present. and run its mouth.
wide open. along the surface Of the water.
cleaning up the pulverized food as 1t went.
It's interest In food was amazing. but not
more so than its habit Of lying concealed
In the sand with just its head sticking out.
Then the two little eyes OF the weather
fish treally q loachl would look around In
the most comical way.
In nature the loach grows to be q foot
long, but under aquarium conditions few OF
them ever exceed inches. They keep the
water and sand pretty much stirred up. 20
cannot be recommended. except - m
0d1ity