Salamanders and much more (DUW)

[Kevin S.]

I finished my thesis work on salamanders last year. I spent a lot of time exploring caves and finding several species, so I thought I'd share some pictures I got along the way. Since this is a snake forum, I've thrown in some general herping pictures from around my property at the end.

I'll start off with Plethodon kentucki, the Cumberland Plateau Salamander. I actually encountered these guys entirely by accident, but they quickly became one of my favorite finds. I ended up collecting enough data that I'll probably publish something on them before long.

More to come in the next post...

 

[Kevin S.]

My thesis research was actually conducted on Eurycea l. longicauda, the Long-tailed Salamander.

Of course I also found a few Cave Salamanders (E. lucifuga) along the way.

 

[Kevin S.]

Now here are a few herps from around the house.

I didn't find this one personally, but thought you might like to see it anyway.

 

[diamondlil]

Wonderful pictures, thanks for sharing them. Looks like you live in a great place for herping!

 

[Floof]

They're all so pretty! Great finds! I can honestly say I'm jealous. In my area, we have frogs, salamanders, one species of garter, and one species of lizard... And that's IF you can find them! I guess I'll just have to live vicariously through yours and everyone else's pictures..

Thanks very much for sharing!

I didn't find this one personally, but thought you might like to see it anyway.

Please tell me whoever found that kept it!! It's gorgeous! To my untrained eyes, it looks like an albino ringneck snake... Or, an albino something. Lol. I hope someone with more experience/a better eye chimes in! =)

 

[alan]

Neat Ringneck! I've never seen an albino.
Looks like it made it to a good size.

 

[Kevin S.]

The albino ringneck was found by a DNR employee and given to me to deposit in the WV Biological Survey Museum. It was kept as a live specimen, but didn't survive very long unfortunately and has since been preserved.

 

[RobbiesCornField]

Those are some great shots!

 

[mmfrankford]

Love the pics, especially the eastern milk snake pic.

 

[mmfrankford]

In the spring I went to tour some of the caves in Kentucky. At the cave in Horse Cave, Kentucky we saw a small grey, spotted salamander and a white crayfish deep in the tour. It's amazing the type of life that lives in caves. Cool stuff.