Frustrating

[freves]

I have lived almost my entire 40 years in Pulaski County and despite lots of time out in the field I have never seen one of these...
http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/VHS/amphibians/salamanders/yonahlossee-salamander/yonahlossee_salamander.htm

Chip

 

[rust]

I've never looked for them in VA, but I've seen quite a few in NC. Most have been in mature glade enviroments.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Hey Chip,
I am going to Pulaski on Saturday for a family reunion and was planning on taking half the day to do some herping, since I don't make it to that part of the state to often. This species is one of my "lifers" that I will be planning on looking for, so lord willing I happen to find one I will let you know. But I am not holding my breath, I haven't ever found one there either (6 years spent looking).

Later,
Justin

 

[taherman]

Go out ~2-3 hours after sunset with a good flashlight. Check medium sized rock outcrops along gravel road cuts through wooded rocky slopes covered in mature forest. >2000 ft elevation is good too. Just saw about a dozen in less than an hour in NC on Monday, and saw many more than that in NC and VA last month. A rainy night helps, but my recent searches have been productive even in dry weather.

Good luck, they are spectacular animals.
-Tim

 

[Kaysie]

It's sure rainy up here today. I bet there are salamanders everywhere! And I'm stuck in the office

 

[freves]

According to Joseph Mitchell's book on VA herps yonahlossee's are only found in limited areas of Pulaski County, and judging by the map much of this is most likely on private landl. Justin, it's ironic that you are coming here Saturday because I am going to Roanoke that day. I have to go to <cough, cough> Chucky Cheese for a kid's birthday party. Kaysie, it has been very dry around here. Taherman, thanks for the tip.
Chip

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Taherman,

Thanks for that little bit of info, there is about a 2 acre stretch up there that sounds just perfect.

Chip,

Fortunately the area I will be herping is all private land so maybe there is hope after all, especially after the tips taherman gave us. I will be sure to take lots of pictures and try to put up a thread about it after we get back. And about that Chucky Cheese thing, I have 2 words for you; GOOD LUCK

Oh and Kaysie you could always send some of that rain my way, it sure would help.

Later,
Justin

:EDIT: Alright Chip, I wasn't going to do it but it's been aggravating me, so I must ask. Do you know any of the Poe's or Kenny's?

 

[Kaysie]

It's funny. Roanoke's only 3 hours away...

Too bad we don't have yonahlossee up here. They're so gorgeous. Much prettier than nettingi any day.

 

[freves]

:EDIT: Alright Chip, I wasn't going to do it but it's been aggravating me, so I must ask. Do you know any of the Poe's or Kenny's?[/QUOTE]

I know a few. I used to work with a Poe (Calvin) and I know a few Kenny's from school. Send me a PM when you have time and give me some names, maybe I'll recognize some. Also, you should have some good salamander hunting with the rain today (thanks Kaysie).
Chip

 

[taherman]

And FYI yonahlossee are definitely on public land in VA, however they do receive special protection from collection on the site that I saw them.

And I messed up the states, I have seen them in TN, NC, and VA in the past month
-Tim

 

[freves]

Do you know if you were you in Pulaski County? Again judging from the range maps they seem to have a more extensive range in counties south of here. I would love to add them to my observation list.********************************************************************************************************************* Chip

 

[taherman]

No, they were in Grayson Co. I believe. You'll probably have better luck the farther south you go. From what I've seen they are confined to the Blue Ridge, so even within those counties your search should be constrained dramatically. Pulaski is the northern limit of their range, so it follows that you might have a tough time finding them there. You might be better off learning to spot their habitat farther south and then trying up north.

Check out the Mitchell and Reay Atlas for an accurate distribution in VA (which you may have already done):
http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/VHS/tobey_atlas.htm

Good luck,
Tim

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Well do to unforeseen circumstances (my grandma Poe dieing) I was only able to herp for about an hour and a half. So needless to say I didn't find any Yonahlossee but I did find 2 species of Desmognathus, Eurycea cirrigera, Plethedon glutinosus, Psuedotriton ruber, Notophthalmus viridescens, and Plethedon cinereus. All total I found 47 salamanders. I do have pictures so I will put up a post in the field herping section probably towards the middle of the week after everything is said and done with my grandma. Sorry I couldn't help you out this time Chip.

Later,
Justin

 

[freves]

Sorry to hear about your Grandmother Justin. No worries about the yonahlossee's, I'll hopefully spot one sooner or later.
Chip