Relictual Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps relictus)

Created: February 17th, 2018 - 04:55 PM
Last Modified: February 17th, 2018 - 04:58 PM Entered by: Benjamin Witzke
Record 294529

Country: United States		State: California	County: Kern County	Time: 2017-10-22 15:00:00
Qty: 1	Age: Adult	Sex: Female	Method: Log flipping	Habitat: -----
Body Temperature: -----		Air Temperature: 65.00F	Ground Temperature: -----	Humidity: -----
Sky Conditions: -----		Moon Phase: -----	Elevation: -----	Barometric Pressure: -----

Notes

Checking in on a new locale (only the 3rd known) for relictus we discovered during a survey in April the same year.

It was late October and the seep was completely dry so I decided to flip for Ensatina uphill from there instead and uncovered this large B. relictus under a relatively dry log.

I took the opportunity to set up my camera and lighting and get some good photos with a white background as well.

You can see from that photo that the tail is flattened laterally. Presumably to aid in semi-aquatic behavior unique to this species of Batrachoseps. The only species of Batrachoseps known to lay eggs aquatically within the water column.

Vouchers

Comments

Posted by Lawrence Erickson on Feb 20, 2018 at 11:13 AM

Outstanding!

Posted by Jeff Nordland on Feb 19, 2018 at 01:40 PM

Excellent record Ben!