redback with eggs

[mikebenard]

This weekend I was flipping some rocks while in the woods of western New York. I did not expect to see salamanders, as it has been very dry there. However, I was happily surprised when I flipped this rock:

and found a redback salamander (Plethodon cinereus) guarding her eggs!

This was a real treat. After observing probably over 1,000 P. cinereus in the wild, this is the first time I have encountered one with eggs!

I also ran into a lot of Desmognathus ochrophaeus in a nearby stream.

 

[Jennewt]

Very nice. That's my new favorite photo of P. cinereus. Was the ground really as dry as it looks?

 

[mikebenard]

Thanks! Glad you like the photo.

The ground was very dry. I was surprised to see any salamanders - let alone one with eggs! It did rain that night, so perhaps her clutch of eggs will make it.

 

[Bellabelloo]

Wow....fantastic photos!

 

[i_love_necturus]

Yeah great pictures! Plethodon cinereus must be breeding in the empty lot by my house because there are always young ones in there, still haven't found one with eggs. Jen's right, that may be one of if not my favorite picture of P. cinereus.

 

[mikebenard]

Thanks for the comments!