Salamanders in NM

OK, prepare to be underwhelmed!:rofl:

Here in New Mexico, this is a rare thing: a pond. We have a few. In my area, most were dug during the homestead days as cattle ponds, and remnants of them remain.





I was drawn to this pond recently by the sound of chorus frogs, and had hoped to get a photo of one. However, the chorus frog is an elusive target. They become dead-silent as long as a human being is anywhere near. I waited silently for a long time, hoping they would sing again - no luck.

After giving up on seeing a chorus frog, I poked around a bit looking at the various little swimmy things in the pond. Much to my pleasure, I found a less-elusive target, one that had no hope of getting away from me. Although I was thinking I might find frog eggs, it quickly became apparent that these eggs were too large, and they had the beginnings of external gills. Since the tiger salamander is the only water-breeding salamander in NM, this pretty much clinches the ID!








Well, there's the short story. Very short. New Mexico is a bit short on salamanders, but I'm happy that I've now seen some.

Excellent find! Nice close-ups of the eggs!

Very nice, Jen. I hope you collected some eggs (I really do).

I'm a little disappointed, Jen. I prepared myself to be underwhelmed and it just didn't happen!

Very nice find!

Wow! That is really impressive! I wish I could find some stuff life that!

jctkc said:

Wow! That is really impressive! I wish I could find some stuff life that!

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LOL. If a non-herper like me can find salamanders - in New Mexico - you should have no problem. Unless you live in Nevada:lame:

Hey now, I've seen salamanders in NV!

Now just post some pics of your other two species and you've covered them all.

RUSS

Cool find. I hope you find more.

John said:

Very nice, Jen. I hope you collected some eggs (I really do).

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For myself, I would have no interest in collecting any eggs. These guys get BIG (i.e., eat taxing quantities of daphnia/blackworms), and I'm not interested in keeping tiger sals. I did, in fact, take 3 eggs, which I will raise at the local nature center as an exhibit. The center already has adult tiger sals, so these guys will have to go to other (local) homes after they morph. I don't expect them to be colorful, as our local tigers are very drab.

rust said:

Hey now, I've seen salamanders in NV!
Now just post some pics of your other two species and you've covered them all.

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I'll work on that (don't hold your breath)! I thought NV was a state that had no caudates.

Jennewt said:

For myself, I would have no interest in collecting any eggs <snip> and I'm not interested in keeping tiger sals.

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Blasphemy! Burn her!

Zargs!

If you can find them in New Mexico, then there is no reason I cannot find them here in "Not known for Caudate Biodiversity" Nebraska!

Wonderful find! I am re-inspired!
<packs up gear to hit out more sites in search of caudates>

Jennewt said:

I'll work on that (don't hold your breath)! I thought NV was a state that had no caudates.

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Almost, but not completely, though the walk I did to see them was rather arduous.

Well at least one, Aneides hardii, is as easy as pulling over on your way to..............

Here's a quick update. We've had some rain, so the pond has not dried up! On a visit 2 days ago, I saw several tiger sal larvae, as well as some tadpoles.

Ok, weighing in here. I think your looking in the wrong spot for herps here! Think _ and _. If you want _ salamanders, for viewing only, I can point you in the right direction. (is there a pm function here?) Also, _ area is full of Canyon tree frogs, and as the monsoons are here early they might be doing their thing earlier! While I admit we are short on salamanders, we do have unique options.

Edited for content by John. Please read our locality policy in future.