Fire Salamanders: meeting with the grown ups. At last!

We did some more herping this week. An activity I tend to appreciate more and more.

For a long time, I have been toying with the idea of locating adults fire salamanders, having spotted larvae several times in the past few years. 

http://carnivorousockhom.blogspot.fr/2014/08/searching-for-fire-salamanders-during.html

http://carnivorousockhom.blogspot.fr/2015/07/the-evolution-of-young-fire-salamanders.html

I know this Caudata species is not that rare (its IUCN status is LC -'Least Concerned'- in Europe), especially in the region where I live but, still, I had yet to find some. Despite the fact that I have, randomly, encountered lone individuals of fire salamanders when I was a youngster, I never had the chance to show this fantastic animals to my children. This summer, during our vacation in Vercors, we found many larvae in the streams of the hills and mountains but not a single adult in spite of two night walks that we did me and my three children. We were disappointed but we wouldn't give up. I searched carefully and read a lot of documentation and eventually, I selected a couple of forests in my region that should host that famous salamander.

And we finally made it; we have been rewarded a few days ago. Not far from my hometown, I located a nice place filled with Salamandra salamandra terrestris.

Here are two of my children. We're wandering in a deciduous forest. We're searching for a clearing with ponds or streams, a place where we could also find a lots of barks and logs: the perfect place for salamanders.

This seemed to be a nice place. I spotted a few recently dried ponds. I guess the larvae had just left the water. And the adults must be somewhere, nearby...

I started the chase but, of course, we don't all share the same priorities. ;-)

After quite along walk and the prospect to fail once again, we did find, in another location, what we were looking for: to me, a creature of legend. ;-) 

We found many different specimens (up to 15) and I believe there should be much more although I believe we left no log unturned in the area. The specimens were varying in size and color patterns. Each was unique. Some juveniles were barely 5/6 cm while some old animals were more than 20 cm. Some specimens are said to reach 30 cm.

The kids were really excited to meet with this amphibian. What a fascinating creature. :-)

But despite the fact that it does look like a pet, I told my progeny to be very cautious. After all fire salamander are able to produce toxic skin secretion and sometimes projections. So my son here, handled the animal very gently.

One of my daughter decided that we would make a group picture. I couldn't refuse even though I knew we were disturbing the animals. Ah well...

Finally, we left all our new 'friends' under logs and various cavities and we waved them goodbye. That day is bound to become a very lasting memory. :-)