RED-BACKED SALAMANDER - LITTLE PEPPERS FIELD GUIDE TO WISCONSIN REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS
It took @papa-pepper about 15 years to find his first Red-Backed Salamander, and then another 15 years to find more.
Once as a kid, I happened upon one of these in northern Wisconsin. It was many years later before I ever found any more. In my entire life, I think I’ve found three of them, and two are used here in this post.
Compared to other Wisconsin Salamanders, the Red-Backed is more slender than most. The color is also very striking, which makes seeing one in person a real treat.
Interestingly, most Wisconsin Salamanders lay eggs in the water, and for the first part of their life they live in the water, and breathe underwater. Much like Frogs and Toads that go through a metamorphosis, many Salamanders do the same. However, the Red-Backed Salamanders are completely terrestrial.
When the babies hatch, the mother will even guard and protect her young. Like many amphibians, Salamanders can absorb toxins through their skin, so their presence is a good sign of a healthy environment.
These slender little Salamanders will eat small bugs and worms, and can be found hiding under rocks and logs on the moist forest floor. I was blessed to be able to show some of my @little-peppers a few, because it took me over 30 years to see more than one myself.
In researching the Red-Backed Salamander over the years, I’ve learned a lot, and I hope that this post teaches you something too.
HERE IS THE PAGE FROM OUR FIELD GUIDE
These are a few short videos, of a the two Red-Backed Salamanders I caught in recent years!
A RED-BACKED SALAMANDER, UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
FINDING A RED-BACKED SALAMANDER
RELEASING TWO RED-BACKED SALAMANDERS
UPVOTE-FOLLOW-RESTEEM
I have never seen one before, thank you
You are welcome!
awwwwwwwwww! little peppers! :-D
Yep, we've got them!
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This is awesome! I love reptiles as well as other creatures! Keep up the awesome posting.
We sure will @timbo!
Nice! It's a pretty little animal thanks for sharing this @little-peppers
Hello to all peppers family :) Steem on!
Thank you! Greetings from all the peppers!