Description: The Texas salamander grows from 2 to 4 inches in length. It is brown in color, often with yellow or brown mottling, with light-yellow spotting down its back. It is neotenic, with a slender body, short limbs, and bright-red external gills. The Texas salamander lives in caves, which resulted in reduced vision in its eyes, due to the long period of time in darkness. It is akin to the Texas blind salamander Eurycea rathbuni.
Habitat: This species occurs in springs in limestones, under rocks and leaves, and in gravel substrate. It is completely aquatic and does not metamorphose.
Range: It is endemic to central Texas, near Helotes, in Bexar County.
Reproduction: Breeding habits are unknown in the wild, but closely related species are thought to deposit eggs in gravel substrates. Bogart (1967) described courtship and oviposition in this species; in the laboratory, eggs were deposited on a variety of substrates.
Status: Listed as Endangered because its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 995 km2, it occurs in three threat-defined locations, and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its aquatic habitat in the Edwards Plateau region of central Texas, USA.
Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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