Flower is a tiger salamander and, despite his name, is male. Flower came to Hickory Knolls several years ago when his human family was embarking on a long vacation and couldn’t find a salamander-sitter. He’s lived front and center on the Hickory Knolls service desk ever since. Tiger salamanders are pretty common residents of neighborhoods that are near ponds or wetlands, yet these animals are rarely seen due to their secretive nature. They spend their days in underground burrows, emerging at night to hunt. Flower just loves to dig and play in his substrate. Their diet includes earthworms, insects and sometimes even frogs and other salamanders. Tiger salamanders are also notable for their long lifespans, which range from 10-16 years in the wild and more than 20 years in captivity.