Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I messed up making my last post. I am going to the ozarks region next week and plan to do a lot of herping. I know where to find snakes, turtles, and lizards. But I have always wanted to find a salamander. Do I just flip over rocks in streams, or do I go look under rocks and logs around streams and ponds? Any help would be appreciated

Salamander activity depends somewhat on moisture, but I have found them in the Ozarks under rocks and logs along streams. Some species, such as the Western Slimy Salamander (Plethodon albagula) may wander away from water some significant distance, but are usually found in damp wooded areas, at least.

I also would reiterate the comment about ticks. The wooded forests of the Ozarks are FULL of ticks. You should wear long, light-colored pants and tuck them into your socks. Then apply copious DEET on your legs, pants, shoes, arms, etc.

Be careful not to handle salamanders with DEET on your hands.
-----
Chris Harrison

Good luck with the salamanders.
I will also comment about ticks. Do everything in your power to keep their heads out of your body! Last August or September I was impaled by hundreds of babies. A few adult stages managed to find me, but I aquired a nestload of juveniles. Bad news. After months of scratching and bloody socks (ankle region) I'm just now recovering from the infestation. That was a while ago, but though the large scabbed areas have more or less healed over, my ankles still itch. Quite a memorable experience. I'm likely more sensitive than most, but if chiggers have ever annoyed you....you don't want to deal with a tick infestation. DEET perfume is quite unpleasant in an enclosed area such as a vehicle, but more pleasant than months of irritation! Shane