California toads and Ensatina Salamanders

[Kurt]

That looks like photo shop to me.

[Greatballzofire]

That looks like photo shop to me.

http://amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_qu...ecies=lugubris

G. Territories. Arboreal salamanders are well known for their aggressive tendencies and weaponry. This species has a suite of morphological features that enable a strong, wound inflicting bite. The jaw muscles are hypertrophied, the skull is heavily ossified with especially strong jaws, and both juveniles and adults possess enlarged and flattened, blade-like, monocuspid teeth (other plethodontids possess weaker bicuspid teeth as juveniles; Wake, 1966; Wake et al., 1983). In his description of arboreal salamanders, Cope (1889) writes: “On the whole, the physiognomy is not unlike that of a snapping tortoise.” Scarred individuals are often found in the field (Miller, 1944; N.L.S., personal observation), and Myers (1930b) observed that salamanders housed in the same container bite each others’ tails. In a study of museum specimens, Staub (1993) found that 15% of the examined individuals were scarred, presumably from conspecific attacks. The frequency of scarring did not differ significantly between males and females (Staub, 1993).

I found it hard to believe that these innocuous looking little animals would have such forbidding dental equipment myself!

[Kurt]

I still believe the picture is a fake. Here is my evidence, a photo I just pulled off of CalPhotos. © 2008 Bill Stagnaro

[Greatballzofire]

I still believe the picture is a fake. Here is my evidence, a photo I just pulled off of CalPhotos. © 2008 Bill Stagnaro

I think the only way to settle this question is to actually find one of these salamanders and see. It's too hot now but next spring I will for sure look for them; if found will handle cautiously! LOL!