Category Archives: Salamander

Herp fest continues

Posted on September 23, 2012 by

Herpetological wonders continue to unfold. The Cumberland Plateau and the Southern Appalachians are among the most diverse places in North America (and the world) for amphibians and, to a lesser extent, reptiles. The last few weeks have not disappointed in … Continue reading →

Posted in Frogs, Salamander, Serpentes, Shakerag Hollow | 3 Comments

Red eft

Posted on September 5, 2012 by

We found this beauty in Shakerag Hollow today during our stream surveys: a red eft, the terrestrial form of a salamander that has no fewer than four life stages. The eggs (stage 1) hatch in lakes, then the larva (stage … Continue reading →

Posted in Salamander, Shakerag Hollow | 9 Comments

Pelting rain, then mist, more rain, and…salamanders

Posted on September 3, 2012 by

Intermittent downpours are not ideal weather for outdoor classes, unless your topic for the day is: salamanders! So a hardy (and uncomplaining — YSR!) group of cyclists headed out in the rain, destination Shakerag Hollow. This is the first of … Continue reading →

Posted in Fungi, Salamander, Shakerag Hollow | 5 Comments

Four-toed salamander with her eggs

Posted on March 5, 2012 by

This week’s theme seems to be salamanders, perhaps appropriate given that it is early springtime in one of the world’s hotspots for amphibian diversity. (An aside: when will TN sports teams figure this out? Titans, Predators, Kats, Tigers = yawn; Cave Salamanders, … Continue reading →

Posted in Salamander | 1 Comment

Microsafari bycatch

Posted on March 5, 2012 by

Our search for the mini-creatures of the world also turned up some interesting macro-organisms. Spend a few hours in the woods with a bunch of biologists and you’ll see a good array of remarkable critters. Here is a selection.

Posted in Salamander, Travels, Turtles | 2 Comments

Ephemeral pond

Posted on February 5, 2012 by

On Saturday morning, I visited the large ephemeral pond at the end of Brakefield Road. This pond, like all ephemeral ponds or “vernal pools,” fills with water in the early winter, stays wet through the spring, then dries up completely … Continue reading →

Posted in Salamander, Water | 6 Comments

Marbled salamander guarding eggs

Posted on October 25, 2011 by

My Field Investigations in Biology class stopped by the Brakefield Road salamander pond today. This pond is a large ephemeral wetland in the upland forest near Sewanee. It is home to dozens of animals that are found in no other … Continue reading →

Posted in Salamander | 3 Comments