Question: Floating Mystery Salamander

[woodswalker]

Hi,

Floating salamanders...I saw five salamander-like creatures floating in a small pond in the Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia (specifically in Lookout, WV, between Hawk's Nest and Babcock State Parks).

They were approximately 3.5 inches long and a dull color, spread a few feet from each other. They all floated motionless just below the water surface...I'm guess in a predatory pose. Does anyone know what they are?

I am somewhat familiar with wild salamander and newt species in Ohio. I did find many Red Spotted Newts/Efts in the leaf litter and know that this species turns a dull color after three years. They are a similar shape and size to the floating ones. What I don't know is whether, like many newts, the Red Spotted also spends a good deal of adult life in water. My internet searches were futile. Does anyone have a clue??

Thanks!
Woodswalker

 

[Kaysie]

Notopthalmus viridescens, the eastern or red spotted newt, morphs from those pretty orange efts into a more drab, olive-green adult.

That's the only pond-dwelling species that comes to mind in WV. Unless it was an advanced larvae of one of the ambystomatid species.