Northern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus)
The Amphibian Survival Alliance (ASA) is showing the world that amphibians are as ‘adorable’ and deserving of our admiration and protection as are feathered or furry animals. Check out their #SqueeWeek social media campaign and you’ll agree wholeheartedly! As a formal Amphibian Survival Alliance Partner organization, RTPI will do its part and we’ll show off some of our favorite amphibian friends this week. Since salamanders have been a bit underrepresented in this week’s coverage, how about this recently hatched Northern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus)?...
Read MoreNorthern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus)
In the Chautauqua-Allegheny Region we have two species of dusky salamanders that have a lot in common. Do you have any idea which dusky this is? I’ll give you a hint: take a good look at the tail of this individual. Give up? This is a Northern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus), often mistaken for its relative the Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus ochrophaeus). Northern duskies have a distinctive keel on their tail whereas mountain duskies have round tails from base to tip, making it a little easier to tell the two very similar species apart. As you are getting out...
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