I've been uncovering salamanders in my garden over the years when I collect leaf debris in the spring. In the past I have carefully covered them up with leaf litter and left them alone, but lately I've become interested in them. Would someone direct me to a good scientific source or web site that can give me more than an overview on salamanders? I can't figure out what kind they are and where on earth they could be finding standing water to spend part of their life cycle. I live in the city and can't imagine these little critters walking down the street to the neighbors man made pond...I have a small seasonal creek at the back of a 1/2 acre lot, but there is no still water. Surely they wouldn't live in running water....? How far can a slamander walk?
These salamanders are no bigger than 6" - usually smaller. I find them in the spring as I prepare the beds for planting. They are brown/black with no distinguishing marks. Their tails are not overly long. I've never seen one move - they stay perfectly still while I look them over and then set them down, but if I go back to check they are gone. Usually solitary, but have seen two together. The skin is very slick/wet looking - like jello. Sometimes I think I've grabbed a worm or a slug, but on closer examination it is a tiny salamander. I'm in the willamette valley in oregon and have the only organic garden in a sea of chemical yards. Any ideas what species? I looked on line and am thinking Ambystoma gracile or Ensatina eschscholtzii - it is not a rough skinned newt, or an Oregon Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps wrightorum.
I suggest the Peterson's Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians by Robert Stebbins. You can find it at any good book store (B&N, Books a MIllion, Walden, etc.), or online at Amazon. It is the book used in most university classes.
If they are indeed Ensatina, they do not need standing water to complete their life cycle; these salamanders are fully terrestrial. Their "larval stage" is completed within the egg, and they hatch out as miniature versions of the adults.
Ambystoma gracile, on the other hand, needs water. I suspect that your animals are Ensatina. If you could send me an email (twpierson gmail.com) with a photograph, I'd be happy to confirm.
