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Northwestern Salamander

Ambystoma gracile

Photo by KarenSaxton
Published on Project Noah
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43.1804, -124.185

Field Notes

Description:

Large brown salamander of the giant/tiger type, but an all over brown, with grey underneath and tiny dots of color all over

Habitat:

I found this guy in my hay barn and think the dry hay may have damaged his skin as when I moved him he made to attempt to flee or hide under damp wood. I took the oppportunity to place him on a mossy log for photos

Notes:

This one was about 7-9 inches long with tail, but I have seen them closer to a foot long

Reference Links:

Ambystoma gracile - Northwestern Salamander

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)
KarenSaxton
About 15 years ago, I had a pet shop. This guy kept buying crickets for a pair of "alligator lizards." He brought them in for me to see one day, in a "playmate" lunch sized cooler, and they were a pair of these lovelies, every bit of a foot long(including tail), fat and robust(I guess they DO like crickets!). But I could not convince this guy they were salamanders and not Northern Alligator lizards, even when I showed him pictures in a field guide.
shebebusynow
I've never seen them a foot long--more to the smaller side. They are pretty unflappable little guys, not moving very fast. I guess if you live in a hole in the ground that works just fine for you.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Amphibians of the World
Mission
The Pacific Northwest Bioregion
Mission
2012 Best Wildlife Photo
Photographed
PublishedFebruary 20, 2012

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