Austin may be known for its local bat colony, but lesser-known (and equally beloved) Austin locals slither below the surface: Barton Springs Salamanders.
If you want to know more about the endangered amphibian, consider this your crash course on the critter.
- The Barton Springs Salamander — aptly named for the environment it depends on — was discovered in 1946, but it wasn’t formally described until 1993.
- Its scientific name, Eurycea sosorum, is an ode to the Austinites who spearheaded the Save Our Springs (SOS) Ordinance in 1992.
- They’re usually found in shallow areas near spring openings, but also nest deep underground in caves and between rocks to avoid predators and find food.
- Barton Springs Salamanders are colorful creatures, with various salt-and-pepper color patterns of hues like brown, purple, yellow, and orange.
- You’ve probably passed a mural of the Barton Springs Salamander by Luis Angulo on Barton Springs Road.
