Salado Salamander
Eurycea chisholmensis
A neotenic species of salamander that has a pinkish-grey body with yellow speckles on its dorsum. It has external gills which are not particularly bushy. Its legs are wel…
How to identify
A neotenic species of salamander that has a pinkish-grey body with yellow speckles on its dorsum. It has external gills which are not particularly bushy. Its legs are well-developed with long toes, and it has a wide, flat head with noticeable eyes.
Range
Limited to several springs that feed the Salado Creek in central Texas, just north of Austin.
Habitat
Strictly aquatic species that lives among rocks at the bottoms of clear, freshwater springs.
Variations
No significant variations.
Similar species
Resembles the Texas salamander (*Eurycea neotenes*), Valdina Farms salamander (*Eurycea troglodytes*), and San Marcos salamander (*Eurycea nana*), which do not overlap in range.
Name and etymology
Genus
Eurycea
Probably honoring Eurydice the wife of Orpheus in Greek mythology. Although Rafinesque, who named the genus, only wrote "mythological"
Origin
Honors
Sources
- Rafinesque, 1822. Kentucky Gazette, Lexington, N. S., Vol. 1, No. 9, Feb. 28, p. 3, column 6
Eurycea. Rafinesque, 1822 - Kentucky Gazette, Lexington, N. S., Vol. 1, No. 9, Feb. 28, p. 3, column 6
Species epithet
chisholmensis
Belonging to the Chisholm Trail.
Origin
Sources
- Chippindale, Price, Wiens and Hillis, 2000
Eurycea naufragia. Chippindale, Price, Wiens and Hillis, 2000
Explore more names in the etymology index.
At a glance
Range
Limited to several springs that feed the Salado Creek in central Texas, just north of Austin.
Habitat
Strictly aquatic species that lives among rocks at the bottoms of clear, freshwater springs.
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap