Pacific Coast - June 2014

[matamander]

I have never made it out to the West Coast before this past summer. I was hoping to see as many Ensatinas as I could find and ended up finding 4 out of the 7 subspecies. The Dicamptodon justified my trip and bragging rights to co-workers.

A flower and crab spider in Mt. Rainier, Washington

Mt. Rainier Washington - a little too cold for salamanders or any herps for that matter

Foxglove in Siuslaw, Oregon

First salamander! An Oregon Ensatina (Ensatina eschscholtzi oregonensis)

Crater Lake, again too cold and dry for salamanders

Rogue River

Rough-skinned Newt (Taricha granulosa) - these guys were much bigger than I thought they would be. Used to the Notophthalamus spp. I guess.

California Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps attenuatus)

Painted Ensatina (Ensatina eschscholtzi picta)

Pacific Giant Salamander (Dicamptodon tenebrosus). The first of a few. This one was about 8 inches long and was sitting on top of a log under a fern. I noticed him sitting on top of the log mid-flip.

First of 2 larval Pacific Giant Salamanders (Dicamptodon tenebrosus) I found in a stream

An 11+" Pacific Giant Salamander (Dicamptodon tenebrosus) I found under a large log on a steep incline.

Dicamptodon food!

California Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps attenuatus) - different color phase

My favorite salamander of the trip, a Sierra Nevada Ensatina (Ensatina eschscholzti platensis). Found two of these guys under fairly dry logs,

Last salamander of the trip, a Yellow-blotched Ensatina (Ensatina eschscholtzi crocreater). Found this adult along with a juvenile under a very dry log in Southern California. This salamander was not too happy as seen in the Ensatina's defensive posture.

 

[Otterwoman]

What's that hole in the slug?

 

[matamander]

What's that hole in the slug?

The hole is known as the pneumostome which the slug breathes from. Oddly it's usually located on the slug's right side.

 

[Otterwoman]

I'm glad it wasn't something caused by acid rain or something like that! (not really up on my slug anatomy)

 

[matamander]

I'm glad it wasn't something caused by acid rain or something like that! (not really up on my slug anatomy)

I only know because I made a slug in a pottery class one time. I tried to be as anatomically correct as possible

 

[sde]

The hole is known as the pneumostome which the slug breathes from. Oddly it's usually located on the slug's right side.

Yep, always on the right side, I am yet to see one on the left....

Thanks again for sharing matamander! Those are some very nice ensatinas you found, some beautiful colors. I would love to get down towards California some day to find those subspecies. That was a big D. tenebrosus as well! You were very lucky to find two terrestrial adults, they are pretty rare finds. In about three years of herping I have only found four terrestrial D. tenebrosus. Congrats! -Seth

 

[matamander]

Thanks Seth. These salamanders were really awesome. I seriously had to pick my jaw off the ground after finding the large Dicamptodon. I was really hoping to see some Aneides and A. macrodactylum too. I'll have to make it back to find the other 3 Ensatinas as well.

 

[sde]

Thanks Seth. These salamanders were really awesome. I seriously had to pick my jaw off the ground after finding the large Dicamptodon. I was really hoping to see some Aneides and A. macrodactylum too. I'll have to make it back to find the other 3 Ensatinas as well.

No kidding! Finding a Dicamptodon that size is surprising, even intimidating. Ah, Andeides are awesome salamanders. I found an A. ferreus in northern California a few years ago on a non herping trip. Beautiful species. I have always had trouble finding A. macrodactylum, I am not sure if the population around me is small or if they are just too seclusive.