Science Source Stock Photo - Grotto Salamander

Grotto Salamander

Description: The Grotto Salamanders, Eurycea spelaea, was described in 1897 and was one of the first true cave salamanders known to science and from North America. The species has an aquatic larval stage which can last in excess of five years. The larvae have fully functional eyes and can be found inhabiting surface streams which are connected to subterranean streams. The larvae are known to eat fresh bat guano. Most predators in subterranean systems will eat anything they can get because such ecosystems don't offer the volume of food items that a surface ecosystem offers. Adults are not known from outside of caves. They lose their pigment and their eyes degenerate into non-functional lumps. The eyelids of the salamander typically grow over them. This individual was photographed in Oklahoma's Ozarks in 2014. It is a female and eggs can be seen developing through her side.

Credit:

Dante Fenolio/Science Source

Unique identifier: SS2712931

Legacy Identifier: JC7854

Type: Image

Size: 6000px × 4000px (~68 MB)

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