Edit: Changed photos to a reasonable size.
I moved to Maryland from Missouri last summer, and I've only had time for a few outings since the move. I'm especially excited about the new salamander species I might encounter in this part of the country.
We had some wet weather followed my mild temperatures a few weeks ago, so I visited the only spot I know so far to see what might be out here in late-February. I was hoping for some Ambystoma at some fishless ponds, but the ponds were totally frozen over and nothing was hiding under nearby cover.
It took a bit of searching, but a Northern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus f. fuscus) was my first find of the day.
Moving away from the seep/stream yielded quite a few Eastern Red-backed Salamanders (Plethodon cinereous). I seemed to be too early for Northern Slimy Salamanders.
My last salamander of the day was a larval Northern Red Salamander (Pseudotriton r. ruber)
My totals on the day:
Northern Dusky Salamander – 4 (3 adults, 1 larval)
Northern Two-lined Salamander – 1
Eastern Red-backed Salamander – 15
Northern Red Salamander – 1 (larval)
Green Frog – 2
Pickerel Frog – 5
I have a full writ[*][*]e-up on my website: http://www.vertebratequest.com/herping/ ... lamanders/
New to Maryland - First 2016 Outing
Moderator: Scott Waters
Re: New to Maryland - First 2016 Outing
Went back to the same location this morning and finally met up with the Spotted Salamanders I was after last time!
My first rock of the day yielded a couple Eastern Red-backed Salamanders.
But it wasn't long before I found the first of several logs hiding at least one Spotted Salamander near a fishless pond. Thinking back to my time in Missouri, I don't think I've ever personally found this species under anything other than downed logs.
One large log near the pond held this group of 12 individuals.
When I was walking up and down the creek I noticed a Red Salamander walking along the creek bottom.
My final tally for the ~45 minutes I had to go herping this morning:
Eastern Red-backed Salamander - 12
Spotted Salamander - 17
Red Salamander - 1
Pickerel Frog - 2
Spring Peeper - 1 (heard only)
My first rock of the day yielded a couple Eastern Red-backed Salamanders.
But it wasn't long before I found the first of several logs hiding at least one Spotted Salamander near a fishless pond. Thinking back to my time in Missouri, I don't think I've ever personally found this species under anything other than downed logs.
One large log near the pond held this group of 12 individuals.
When I was walking up and down the creek I noticed a Red Salamander walking along the creek bottom.
My final tally for the ~45 minutes I had to go herping this morning:
Eastern Red-backed Salamander - 12
Spotted Salamander - 17
Red Salamander - 1
Pickerel Frog - 2
Spring Peeper - 1 (heard only)
-
- Posts: 23
- Joined: April 28th, 2013, 9:43 pm
Re: New to Maryland - First 2016 Outing
Nice finds, welcome to the North East! (I guess)lassa8 wrote:Went back to the same location this morning and finally met up with the Spotted Salamanders I was after last time!
My first rock of the day yielded a couple Eastern Red-backed Salamanders.
But it wasn't long before I found the first of several logs hiding at least one Spotted Salamander near a fishless pond. Thinking back to my time in Missouri, I don't think I've ever personally found this species under anything other than downed logs.
One large log near the pond held this group of 12 individuals.
When I was walking up and down the creek I noticed a Red Salamander walking along the creek bottom.
My final tally for the ~45 minutes I had to go herping this morning:
Eastern Red-backed Salamander - 12
Spotted Salamander - 17
Red Salamander - 1
Pickerel Frog - 2
Spring Peeper - 1 (heard only)
- Kyle from Carolina
- Posts: 221
- Joined: May 3rd, 2012, 8:12 pm
- Location: western MA and NC
Re: New to Maryland - First 2016 Outing
The aquatic shots of the larval red salamander are awesome, as is that single flip that produced 12 spotted sals. That must have been fun to uncover.