Texas Blind Salamander

Eurycea rathbuni

Reptiles & AmphibiansIn the app

The length of the Texas blind salamander ranges from 3.25- 5.375 inches. This species is white in color, has no eyes, little skin pigment and only two small black dots un…

How to identify

The length of the Texas blind salamander ranges from 3.25- 5.375 inches. This species is white in color, has no eyes, little skin pigment and only two small black dots under its skin. One of the characteristics of the Texas blind salamander is the very broad, flat head and snout. Its four limbs have four digits while hind limbs have five. The limbs are thin elongate. The tail is compressed laterally and finned, tapering at its end.

Range

This species is native to San Marcos, Hays County, Texas. It is specifically endemic to the San Marcos Pool of the Edwards Aquifer.

Habitat

The Texas blind salamander lives underground in streams, caves and deep recesses. It feeds on snails, shrimps and other aquatic invertebrates. Reproduction occurs throughout the year as the male counterpart deposit spermatophore on rocks or substrate. Females can lay more than 35 eggs at a time. It takes several weeks for the eggs to hatch.

Similar species

The brown-back salamander or Eurycea aquatica is brown in color compared to the yellow hue of southern two-lined salamander and does not possess cirri. This is its distinguishing feature. Southern two-lined salamander or Eurycea cirrigera has black lines that run all the way down to its tail as what distinguishes this species from the Northern salamander. It also has two morphs. The Grotto salamander or Eurycea spelaea has a distinct high tail fin and external gills. The larvae have functional eyes and it metamorphoses and loses their gills and become blind for the rest of its life as an adult. The grotto salamander is the only cave salamander that undergoes metamorphosis.