Salamanders and Newts in North Central CA

[RenoBart]

Hi folks, anyone know of any recent known records of Newts and/or Arboreal Salamanders in Amador County? Anyone ever find any in Amador County? I am curious as the the range map on http://www.californiaherps.com shows both in nearly the entirely of the county.

Aneides lugubris - Arboreal Salamander


Taricha sierrae - Sierra Newt


I live now in Amador and there is abundant habitat that looks suitable for both, much of which is on private land, but some is accessible for sure. Anyway, just curious as to if anyone knows if these species have been found in recent years or if they are pretty scarce here.

Thanks!

[Calfirecap]

I just took a look in NAHERP and interesting enough I didn't see any records for either Newts or Arboreals in Amador Co., but you are right the area looks good for both. On the bright side, winter herping there will be better than in Reno.

[RenoBart]

Yeah I would think there are here. I live around 850’, and I’ve been checking creeks for newts around here, but I have yet to see any. Slender salamanders can be pretty abundant in the right habitat but I’ve seen not one under moist logs and rocks. If they are here, they must inhabit a pretty specialized habitat or a very specific altitude range...

[Kookamongus]

There are records of both aneides and taricha from Amador, mostly within the western portions. Searching for t."torosa" will often yield more results, when t.sierrae was still considered a ssp. Also don't forget ensatina, and then hydromantes and long-toed higher up...

[RenoBart]

Yes, I have found ensatina and long-toes in the Sierras before, they are not so difficult to locate in the right areas. I never really looked into the salamanders of the region until last week and I was surprised to see arboreals in this range, and nearly the whole county. There is a lot of very nice foothill habitat around here, but I have not been able to locate any salamanders or newts yet. Newts are usually quite abundant and obvious where they occur (in pools, on roads after rains, etc) and I have not seen any so I am guessing the immediate area around where I live is still not quite right, but I do need to dig in a little more and see if I can turn some up. Based on the fact there are no NAHERP records for any, I am thinking they are not the easiest herps to find in these parts...

EDIT: I just checked iNaturalist and there are some interesting entries there, which will prove helpful for sure!