P.cinereus juvenile!

2008.02.16 – P.cinereus juvenile

Originally uploaded by fieldherp

Jon and I ventured to a local park close to my home to scout out for some stuff and we came across a rather large Eurycea bislineata (Two-lined Salamander.) After our last venture revealed nothing but E.bislineata, we started to worry that the same would prove true for today. However, lucky for us we later found a juvenile Plethodon cinereus (Northern Redback Salamander) among some debris next to a vernal pool. The little juvenile was no longer than the tip of my thumb and had beautiful coloring! Surprisingly this is our first P.cinereus of ‘08! I’m pleased to say it was quite photogenic as well.

P.cinereus is rather common in this area. If you aren’t familiar with them, there are a few things that make this slender woodland salamander unique. In terms of color, it often comes in two variants: Redback and Leadback (along with erythristic morphs as well.) The only real difference between them is color and they retain a consistant size, shape, and length. They co-inhabit the same space with little issue.

2008.02.10 – E. bislineata

Originally uploaded by fieldherp

I think the most fascinating aspect of these little guys is that they hatch fully formed and terrestrial and never go through the aquatic larval stage. The juvenile we found was in the shallow end of a vernal pool atop some leaves and under some bark. There was no sign of any others so I’m pretty sure he just wandered there. In the shade of the trees, Jon originally thought it was some kind of bug until he spotted the little legs. The second photo really gives you a good idea of his size against that of a normal-sized leaf. Too young to know gender, but we dubbed it “Rosa” for its pretty coloring.

In other news, I twisted my ankle this run so lets hope for a speedy recovery!

Check Here for the rest of the photos. Some of them are really cute!! Some good ones of that E.bislineata as well.