Sad Sight (Fire salamander)

[fimbriatus]

I went out looking for fire salamanders today (I know it wasn't the best weather, but I am getting antsy waiting for spring).  I only found one, unfortunately he was floating in a fountain.  I assume he couldn't get out and drowned.  Here he is after I fished him out of the water, he was a beautiful, good sized adult (and also bloated).

[Clive]

Hi there... Can't tell what size the little salamander is but maybe it was death from natural causes? An adult of good size, maybe just old age and the end of the lifespan..... Certainly the weather down here in Andalucia is "Salamander weather" right now... Best sightings we ever get is in the pouring rain on quiet tracks in the middle of the night...

A bit about salamanders and the incredibly complex subspecies list ison our nature pages..
http://www.wildsideholidays.com/natural/reptiles-and-amphibians/309-fire-salamander-salamandra-salamandra-salamandra-comun.html

[fimbriatus]

Thanks Clive.  The reason the I went looking was that it rained the day before, although I thought it might have been too cool at night. 

[Clive]

Hi, I'm not sure about how much cold affects these great little creatures into a dormant state.... I remember seeing them out and about in really cold nights and in france and one time there was ice on the pond and they were sluggish but stil active. The water they were in couldn'thave been much more than 4 or 5 degrees Celsius..

beste sightings we get down here in Western Andalucia is at night on quiet tracks when it is raining..... (Not after the rain has stopped)

[lucy]

Hi Jason,  I contacted the park, and they already knew about the problem, as other dead salamanders have been found in the same spot.  The fuente in question has been restored recently without taking the salamanders into consideration but the relevant people have now been informed and promise to provide a way in and out.  The park biologist also suggests the recent sudden plunge in temperature might have played a part in the deaths.

It seems the Collserola salamanders have plenty of people looking out for their welfare!

[lucy]

More on the Collserola salamanders, and a question. 

All this rain and snow have revived a spring there, which is bone dry most of the time.  It's only a trickle of water, but fabulously, in the little trough underneath, have appeared numerous fire salamander larvae.  How long will they need to grow and leave the water?  I'm wondering if they'll have time before the water dries up.

[fimbriatus]

Lucy,

According to the Arnold field guide, it usually takes them 2-4 months to metamorphose.  Hopefully they will metamorphose before the water dries up.