Salamanders of the North Coast
Here are some of the common salamanders found in the redwood forest of northern California. Collected in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. (and released unharmed after posing for these photos)
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| Clouded Salamander Aneides ferreus |
| Clouded salamanders are found in cool
humid coastal forests. They are climbing salamanders and
are often found 20 feet and higher in trees. They lay
their eggs inside rotting logs or underneath slabs of
bark. The female will guard her eggs, which are each
attached to the surface by a mucus stalk. They
spend the dry summers deep inside rotten logs where they
are protected from high temperatures and from drying
out.
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Clouded Salamander |
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These are one of the world's smallest salamanders. They have four toes on each tiny foot. They hunt by using their long sticky tongues to catch prey. Favorite habitat is woodland with plenty of dead leaves, logs, and bark on the ground. They are frequently found walking around after a rain. If attacked, the tail can be detached. A new one will eventually regrow to replace it. These salamanders are also very agile. They are usually nocturnal. |
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California slender salamander |
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California Slender Salamander |
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Ensatina |
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| Backlit ensatina |
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Ensatinas have a constriction at the base of the tail. They also have five toes on the hind foot. The tail of the male is often longer than his body. These salamanders do not have an aquatic stage. They lay their eggs underground and these hatch into fully formed salamanders. They prefer a habitat of cool coastal forest. They can be found along streams or in damp dead leaves. If attacked, the tail may be broken off to distract the predator while the ensatina escapes. They also have toxins in the tail that are distasteful to predators. The tail is used as a food storage organ. The fatter the tail, the more nutrients the salamander has stored up. |
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| Ensatina |
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| An ensatina and the tracks it left behind. |
Find salamander posters, greeting cards, t-shirts, hats, and more in my new store.
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Visit Beartracker's Nature Store online
store at: www.dirt-time.com
Happy tracking!!
What else can you find in the nature store? Beartracker's T-shirts, sweatshirts, journals, book bags, toddler and infant apparel, mouse pads, posters, postcards, coffee mugs, travel mugs, clocks, Frisbees, bumper stickers, hats, stickers, and many more items. All with tracks or paw prints, or nature scenes. Custom products are available. If you don't see the track you want on the product you want, email me and I can probably create it. Proceeds from all sales go to pay the monthly fees for this web site. You can help support this site as well as get great tracking products! Thank you! |
| Find other tracking products: www.zazzle.com/tracker8459* |
| Also
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