I had no idea that tiger salamanders were THAT big.
I live in the an area with a high diversity of salamander species.
However, one species that is notably absent from that list is the tiger salamander. The nearest tiger salamanders are in Central and Western Ohio. The next nearest populations are in coastal Virginia and Maryland.
I have never seen a wild one.
But we still have this species of salamander that could eat a tiger salamander for breakfast:
They are an endangered species in New York.
Here’s a link:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7143.html
There is a neotenous form of tiger salamander native to the lakes around Mexico City. (It is a different species from the one in the Eastern US ).
http://www.axolotl.org/
It’s very common in the pet trade.
But it’s also quite endangered in the wild. In fact, they are almost extinct.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8220000/8220636.stm
The larval form of all tiger salamanders are called “water dogs.” That term is not widely used because “water dog” historically could mean that animal, a dog used in the water for some reason, or an otter.
I’ve come across a term in Irish that means “water dog”– but it is used for otters, or a mythological giant otter.
The term is Dobharchu.
I would be an excellent name for a retriever; that is, if I could pronounce it!
durra-ghoo ?
In Gaelic: DOE ur-choo.
http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cache:0RYXiBjLLmMJ:www.namenerds.com/scottish/gaelicdude.html+dobharcu+prounciation&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a
In Irish (Gaeilge), I guarantee you it is pronounced differently.