Last year I posted a message on the net requesting adult axolotls, or
information leading to them. I decided to share the results of this
search, particularly as regards commercial suppliers. I know that some of
you who are dependent on the Colony for animals have been getting a bit
nervous, especially in the wake of last year's epidemic.
The best known and probably most reliable supplier is
CHARLES D. SULLIVAN, AMPHIBIANS OF NORTH AMERICA, 6685 HOLT RD.,
NASHVILLE, TENN. 37221 (tel 615-832-0958), FAX 615-833-5286.
Another, newer source, whom I had some trouble reaching, is:
BOB VICO, ST. LOUIS REPTILE, 6310 ARSENAL ST., ST., LOUIS, MO 63139.
Phone and Fax: 314-344-1596: Mobile - 314-420-4340
I had long conversations with both of these guys. The bottom line is, they
deal mainly in larvae. They do not know the animals' age, and the best I
can determine based upon the size information, is the maximum age of the
larvae is 6-8 months. I suspect they have made the same determination as
the rest of us, that raising older larvae and adults is a fairly labor
intensive enterprise.
Neither CAROLINA, NASCO or CONNECTIVE VALLEY BIOLOGICAL SUPPLY had older
axolotl larvae.
This apparent total unavailability of adults through commercial sources
should be as much of a concern to us as the prospect of disease at the
Colony. For this reason I very much encourage all of you with animals to
spare, or that you want to get rid of, to post a message on the net (as did
Linda Barlow, recently). I eventually ended up with some of Tim Stabler's
overflow. Thanks again, Tim.
Thanks as well to the people below, who either offered animals or provided
information: Sandi Borlan, Natalie Kim Bjorklund, Paul Pietsch
L_Muske at Acad.FandM.edu (Linda Muske)
