We recently performed another terrestrial salamander survey for Portland Parks and Recreation. This time, we surveyed Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. And despite the cold, rainy weather we had a great turn-out of volunteers (the most to date). We found an abundance of amphibians:
- Oregon Ensatina (Ensatina eschscholtzii oregonensis) – 22
- Western Redback Salamander (Plethodon vehiculum) – 17 (including 3 melanistic “led back” individuals)
- Western Long-toed Salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum macrodactylum) – 5
- Pacific Chorus Frog (Pseudacris regilla) – 10
This was the first time we’ve seen Western long-toed salamanders and Pacific chorus frogs on a Parks & Rec. volunteer survey. We also came across a full North American beaver (Castor canadensis) skeleton with a great skull I couldn’t pass up (it’s now sitting on my mantle at home đŸ™‚ ).
The Wandering Herpetologist 