I found this guy earlier today
Something for Fil
Moderator: Scott Waters
- Joshua Wallace
- Posts: 235
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 6:57 pm
- Location: Orting, WA
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- Posts: 639
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 1:14 pm
Re: Something for Fil
Is that a norhwestern Salamander and did you 'filter' it from a pond or creek?
Richard F. Hoyer
Richard F. Hoyer
Re: Something for Fil
WOW! Nice catch! Looks like a pretty beefy one, at that. I am guessing male, by the swollen vent?
Beautiful animal. Well, if you are catching them already then I better keep my eyes peeled for them in the ponds.
I will PM you some questions.
Beautiful animal. Well, if you are catching them already then I better keep my eyes peeled for them in the ponds.
I will PM you some questions.
Re: Something for Fil
Joshua,
You really inspired me to redouble my efforts. During a class hike, while I was teaching I told my students about carefully flipping logs to find amphibians. And, sure enough, as we walked along and flipped small logs...
BAM! I shouted, threw up my arms and proceeded to bonk my head on a tree branch in my excitement.
The students got a good laugh out of it.
A big, adult NW Salamander (Ambystoma gracile) at last!
Here are some close ups of the feet.
Front:
And Hind:
And here is a beautiful, clear set of tracks I got from this lovely adult female:
Thanks again for the advice and inspiration. They are lovely salamanders, with wonderfully long toes.
You really inspired me to redouble my efforts. During a class hike, while I was teaching I told my students about carefully flipping logs to find amphibians. And, sure enough, as we walked along and flipped small logs...
BAM! I shouted, threw up my arms and proceeded to bonk my head on a tree branch in my excitement.
The students got a good laugh out of it.
A big, adult NW Salamander (Ambystoma gracile) at last!
Here are some close ups of the feet.
Front:
And Hind:
And here is a beautiful, clear set of tracks I got from this lovely adult female:
Thanks again for the advice and inspiration. They are lovely salamanders, with wonderfully long toes.
- salamanderhunter
- Posts: 185
- Joined: June 11th, 2010, 10:57 pm
- Location: chillicothe, ohio
- Contact:
Re: Something for Fil
Wow! Wow on the tracks. Best sallie track i've seen.
Re: Something for Fil
Thanks, Joe! I think it was a combination of perfect substrate and right side-lighting on a rare sunny winter day. All things came together to make a great set of tracks.
I am impressed with how long the toes on the front feet are on this species. Arguably, the longest toes of any western salamander in proportion to its size.
I am impressed with how long the toes on the front feet are on this species. Arguably, the longest toes of any western salamander in proportion to its size.
Re: Something for Fil
Here is a youtube video of the salamander making tracks for me:
- salamanderhunter
- Posts: 185
- Joined: June 11th, 2010, 10:57 pm
- Location: chillicothe, ohio
- Contact:
Re: Something for Fil
Great video! Notice how it went for the "hole" in the substrate? I've found that I can often get a salamander to walk straight across a tracking tray by putting a piece of black construction paper or something similar on the other side. Otherwise they just kind of wander around, not laying down a straight, consistent trail.
Re: Something for Fil
Nice finds guys.
My side of the state is still pretty much frozen. BrrRrRrRrrr, I hate the cold!
My side of the state is still pretty much frozen. BrrRrRrRrrr, I hate the cold!
Re: Something for Fil
Joe,
That's a great observation! I will have to make use of that in future track set ups.
I try to get tracks on several different substrates, and end up with the best ones in the mud that you see in that photo. The other 2 are in 2 different kinds of fine dust.
Travis,
Sorry to hear you guys are still frozen out there. Glad to see you pop back onto the FHF. Hope you can be a NW chapter member!
That's a great observation! I will have to make use of that in future track set ups.
I try to get tracks on several different substrates, and end up with the best ones in the mud that you see in that photo. The other 2 are in 2 different kinds of fine dust.
Travis,
Sorry to hear you guys are still frozen out there. Glad to see you pop back onto the FHF. Hope you can be a NW chapter member!