Herpetofauna - One Life's List

Blue Ridge Spring Salamander
Gyrinophilus porphyriticus danielsi

Sevier Co., Tennessee. April 25th, 2006
 

 

 "...under the very next rock was another brightly colored salamander, but this one was orange - a Spring Salamander! This was a Blue Ridge Spring Salamander, Gryinophilus porphyriticus danielsi. One of the characteristics of Spring Salamanders is a raised ridge that travels between each eye and the tip of the snout. G.p. danielsi features a light line along this ridge, with a dark line immediately beneath, and white spots along the jaw. This was a new subspecies for me, so I was happy to examine this specimen and take pictures. It was not the most cooperative subject, and I had to use cover plates to keep the animal contained while setting up for shots. More than once I had to clean the animal off with my water bottle, after it would wriggle away into the substrate. It is certainly a lot more difficult to wrangle and shoot herps all by your lonesome..."

Day Five, The Great Salamander Swing

 
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