Tag Archives: Black Speckled Salamander

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Laura Baker wrote, "I was out looking under logs up here in Annapolis and had a wonderful experience. I found a Speckled Black Salamander, a first for me. Later in the day I found a Wandering Salamander, also a first.”

Here's Speckled Black Salamander, Anedies flauvipunctatus. Its Scientific name sounds like an incantation from Harry Potter!

And here is the Wandering Salamander, Aneides vacrans.

Here's a look at this salamander's long, squared-off toes.

These are climbing salamanders and have prehensile tails. Wandering Salamanders often are found high in the canopy of old-growth trees, where they can live for the entire lives. The Gualala River watershed is the southernmost limit of their range.

Thanks to Laura for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

We received .25 inches of rain yesterday, the first in over a month. We have more in our forecast. Today I can see showers out on the horizon and the Pacific Ocean has big swells.

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The Salamanders are enjoying the wet winter we've been having. Several have recently been spotted. Bettye Winters photographed a Speckled Black Salamander. You will see this salamander measures a little more than four inches.

Laura Baker spotted a different salamander, an Oregon Ensatina Salamander.

I learned that the Ensatina can be found under logs or brush, by or in streams and lakes, and other moist places, like the Mendonoma coast! It’s better not to touch this Salamander, as they rely on cutaneous respiration. Their skin is very sensitive and they are easily distressed by handling.

There is a great website to learn more about all things Herps. Gary Nafis created the website California Herps, a guide to amphibians and reptiles in California. Here's the link: http://www.californiaherps.com/index.html

Thanks to Bettye and Laura for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

We have three storms on the way, so we are in for another rainy period. Breaking the drought feels really good!