Herpetofauna: One Life's List

Desmognathus marmoratus
Shovelnosed Salamander

near Johnson City, Tennessee
May 22, 1998

Back when we first found these critters, they were in the genus Leurognathus, but have since been put back into the larger group of Dusky Salamanders, in the genus Desmognathus.  Either way, this species was my first Smoky Mountain salamander, and it was exciting to find.  These are quick, alert creatures, living in and about the margins of the many streams that flow down and out of the mountains.

As it so often happens, we were on our way to somewhere else, and had stopped for a quick look at the stream flowing down the mountain.  We were richly rewarded for our detour.

photo courtesy of Ken Felsman.