This past weekend I accompanied 18 high school students to south-central Ohio to explore some of the state’s natural wonders. We found a creek and Adam, Pat, Jen and Claire decided to turn a few logs in the area.
Our efforts paid off when we found this strikingly bright red amphibian with scattered black dots.
Jen thought is was an awesome find, and I agreed.
The habitat for this colorful creature is under rocks and logs in and around cold, clean springs and adjacent brooks.
The Northern Red Salamander is a large (up to 8 inches) amphibian. This species has a distinctive, bright yellow iris and a stout body.
Older examples of this salamander, like this one I found a few years ago, are less brightly colored and often somewhat purplish.
