Desmognathus complex pictures

[chris]

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

 

[chris]

Additional pictures showing variation in color patterns between individuals.

 

[elisabeth]

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

 

[erik]

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.

 

[elisabeth]

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

 

[TJ]

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

 

[Lamb]

Do you have any experience with D. conanti larvae?

 

[taherman]

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

 

[taherman]

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)