Eurycea rathbuni

(Stejneger, 1896)

Vernacular names
English : Texas blind salamander
French : Salamandre aveugle du Texas

Classification
Class : Amphibia
Order : Caudata
Family : Plethodontidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a length of 13 cm. Head is flattened and broad, with a nearly square snout. Tail laterally flattened and finned. Limbs are very thin. Coastal groves on flanks. Eyes vestigial. Whitish-grey color and external red gills.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in south-central USA and is only found in the state of Texas, in Hays County, around San Marcos pool of the Edwards Aquifer. Lives in water-filled subterranean caverns, rivers and small pools.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species is still common in the wild but only known from one single location. Very sensitive to water quality.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Salamanders, Newts and Caecilians” page