Slimmy

GREAPERGREAPER Registered Users Posts: 3,113 Major grins
edited April 9, 2006 in Wildlife
I thought people might like to take a look at these. I went to shoot salamanders with a local naturalist this morning. He caught these and then after I photographed them he returned them.

63492291-L.jpg

I had never even seen a salamander before this. They are pretty cool.

63492244-L.jpg

They have no lungs. They breath throught their skin but it only works if their skin is wet. If you have to handle them, make sure your hands are wet first.

63492541-L.jpg

They have no ribs, so if you must pick them up, do so very cafefully. It is possible to pull their limbs off because they are delicate creatures. The limb will grow back, but it's best to handle them with care.

63492451-L.jpg

I hope you enjoyed sharing what I learned today.

Thanks for looking.

Brian
http://dehmphoto.smugmug.com/

Comments

  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited April 8, 2006
    I'm jealous! Nice shots. Wish I had a naturalist tour.
    Moderator Emeritus
    Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
  • gluwatergluwater Registered Users Posts: 3,599 Major grins
    edited April 9, 2006
    Cool shots Brian and thanks for the info. I like the last shot in the moss. They sure look small, I have never seen one before either, were they hard to find?
    Nick
    SmugMug Technical Account Manager
    Travel = good. Woo, shooting!
    nickwphoto
  • Frog LadyFrog Lady Registered Users Posts: 1,091 Major grins
    edited April 9, 2006
    cool looking 'mandersthumb.gif

    I started off my scientific career working with tiger salamanders, which are a bit bigger (often > 8 inches/20 cm long) than and not as delicate as these plethodontids. These guys have to stay small b/c they breathe exclusively through their skin - if they get too big, there is not enough surface area to allow oxygen in fast enough for the large body mass (volume).

    neat fact of the day: all amphibians can breath through their skin, but the salamanders shown here are members of the only group of amphibians without lungs (other kinds of 'manders do have lungs). Larval amphibians (like frog tadpoles and larval salamanders) also have gills and thus may have three different ways to take up oxygen at the same time.

    ok, I'm done being a biology geek, back to thinking about photography:D

    cheers,

    C.
    Colleen
    ***********************************
    check out my (sports) pics: ColleenBonney.smugmug.com

    *Thanks to Boolsacho for the avatar photo (from the dgrin portrait project)
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited April 9, 2006
    Well when you don't have egrets .....rolleyes1.gif Seriously nice shots of an interesting subject. thumb.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • RohirrimRohirrim Registered Users Posts: 1,889 Major grins
    edited April 9, 2006
    Neat looking creature Brian, thanks for sharing.
    Steve
    My Photo gallery- rohirrim.smugmug.com
    Selective Sharpening Tutorial
    Making a Frame for your image (Tutorial)
  • Dick on ArubaDick on Aruba Registered Users Posts: 3,484 Major grins
    edited April 9, 2006
    Awesome shots! For many years I didn't see a salamander "in person".

    Dick.
    "Nothing sharpens sight like envy."
    Thomas Fuller.

    SmugMug account.
    Website.
Sign In or Register to comment.