3.19.2011

The other flatwoods salamander

For the past few years I've had the opportunity to work with one of the two species of flatwoods salamander, Ambystoma bishopi. Though they don't really look different to my eye, I've wanted to see the other species, Ambystoma cingulatum. A couple friends have taken me to see some of the habitat they use, but it wasn't at the best time to see the animals. During a great extended weekend trip that Sarah and I took last week we visited one of the breeding sites shortly after dark. We were fortunate to spot this larval individual in the shallow water!






Frosted Flatwoods Salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum)


Calling frogs, including Spring peepers, made our evening even more enjoyable.


Spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)

Note: All the little light-colored flecks on the water and on the Spring peeper are pine pollen, which was on everything!

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