Inyo Mountains Salamander

“An adult Inyo Mountains Salamander (Batrachoseps campi) from the eastern slope of their namesake range. Looking out over an endless expanse of xeric desert floor while standing in riparian salamander habitat a few thousand feet up in the mountains is the definition of surreal. It is within this habitat that these salamanders seemingly thrive, buffered from the scorching sun by cool spring water. Living in these infrequently found moist areas is literally what allows these lungless salamanders to breathe. Interestingly, there are at least a handful of records of this species at sites far from water, like on a ridgetop just a few miles from where this photo was taken.  It remains unseen as to how populations of this species will respond to heightened average temperatures and increasingly variable patterns of precipitation.

 

I took this photo in the spring of 2021, during my first visit to the Inyo Mountains to conduct fieldwork for my graduate program. Returning to California after moving across the country the year prior was amazing, but that feeling paled in comparison to seeing these animals in the flesh.” – Nick Van Gilder