California toads and Ensatina Salamanders

[Kurt]

Lucky you.

[KennyDB]

Damn those Ensatina.e.platensis look great! I got E.e.picta and E.e.oregonensis myself but platensis is high on my wishlist.

The big brown type would be xanthoptica... or oregonensis in the northern border of platensis range

[Greatballzofire]

I do feel incredibly fortunate to have these beautiful little creatures on my property. In my opinion they are the most beautiful of all the salamander species.

Next spring I will look for the big brown ones and post some pics of them. They are much more active than the ensatinas, acting almost more like lizards. When uncovered the ensatinas just lay there like oh I hope nobody notices me, but the brown ones sort of glare at you and make haste to find new cover.

[KennyDB]

but the brown ones sort of glare at you and make haste to find new cover.

That sounds like Aneides lugubris behavior? do you mean A.lugubris?

[Greatballzofire]

That sounds like Aneides lugubris behavior? do you mean A.lugubris?

http://www.californiaherps.com/salam....lugubris.html
I think this is it. I live in the small red spot area on the map of California. I saw a group of three of these creatures under a big rock this spring. Now it is hot and dry and nary a salamander of any sort to be seen!

[KennyDB]

Haha yes, I knew it must have been A.lugubris by the "behavior" description , I got some myself, they really are fantastic and superquick!

[Greatballzofire]

Well, I am glad I didn't bother to pick them up! LOL!