Desmognathus complex pictures

This is a Desmognathus fuscus conanti photo from Walker Co., Georgia. This is an older adult.

Additional pictures showing variation in color patterns between individuals.

Beautiful pattern! He looks almost like a little snake! Are they protected? I don't really know much about these.

I think all Desmognathus are considered "spring lizards" in Georgia so you can collect them as bait. Otherwise I believe Georgia is pretty strict about collecting native species other than venomous snakes.

Hmm, I see. Chris, get me some!!!

Beautiful pictures, Chris. And some fascinating patterns. Hope Georgia reclassifies them someday soon!

Do you have any experience with D. conanti larvae?

From the Georgia DNR website, you can collect non-listed salamanders in any number, at any time, by any means:

Collecting from the Wild

Georgia Law prohibits the taking of wildlife without proper permits or licenses. Permitted activities would include legal hunting, fishing, and trapping as well as collection through a scientific collection permit. The following exceptions are given in the law, and may be collected by any means, in any number, and at any time: Rats, mice, coyotes, armadillos, groundhogs, beaver, freshwater turtles, poisonous snakes, frogs, spring lizards, fiddler crabs, freshwater crayfish, freshwater mussels, and nutria. These species are exempted because they are considered a nuisance or are collected for other reasons (such as fish bait). NOTE: Permits would be required to legally possess live coyotes, armadillos, groundhogs, and beaver. Protected species of turtles, mussels, and other exempted species may not be collected without proper permits.


-Tim

And in case you're curious, the protected salamander species are:

(4) Amphibians:
(a) Ambystoma cingulatum: Flatwoods Salamander (threatened)
(b) Amphiuma pholeter: One-toed Amphiuma (rare)
(c) Aneides aeneus: Green Salamander (rare)
(d) Cryptobranchus alleganiensis: Hellbender (threatened)
(e) Gyrinophilus palleucus: Tennessee Cave Salamander (threatened)
(f) Haideotriton wallacei: Georgia Blind Salamander (threatened)
(g) Notophthalmus perstriatus: Striped Newt (threatened)
(h) Plethodon petraeus: Pigeon Mountain Salamander (rare)