Disfigured Marbled Salamander (kinda gross!)

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Noah M
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Disfigured Marbled Salamander (kinda gross!)

Post by Noah M »

Hey yall,

Over the weekend I checked out a known breeding spot in N. Florida for A. opacum and found this young male with a severely injured face. Any guesses as to what caused this? Has anyone ever seen something similar?

Cheers,

-NM

ImageMarbled Salamander by Noah Mueller, on Flickr

ImageMarbled Salamander by Noah Mueller, on Flickr
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Kelly Mc
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Re: Disfigured Marbled Salamander (kinda gross!)

Post by Kelly Mc »

No way of knowing but I think a crayfish is a possibility.
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Kelly Mc
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Re: Disfigured Marbled Salamander (kinda gross!)

Post by Kelly Mc »

I have seen that kind of a gnaw pattern in an escaped leopard gecko due to rats in the store.

If there is a waterway near, do you think it possible? How well known is the congregation spot? Is it possible kids might collect them and re release them in feature?

A salamander perhaps would not fare well in an aquatic encounter with a crayfish but I have less confidence in it having the vigor to escape a rodent.

So many things are possible, especially in Florida!
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Noah M
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Re: Disfigured Marbled Salamander (kinda gross!)

Post by Noah M »

I showed it to a number of herpetologists and they all have different ideas. One said crayfish or small turtle, one suggested a garter or water snake. I hope the location is not well known. I have never encountered other herpers there, but it isn't exactly difficult to get to either.
Coluber Constrictor
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Re: Disfigured Marbled Salamander (kinda gross!)

Post by Coluber Constrictor »

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Kelly Mc
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Re: Disfigured Marbled Salamander (kinda gross!)

Post by Kelly Mc »

Coluber Constrictor wrote: January 13th, 2020, 5:53 pm Maybe a shrew.
Yeah huh.

Poor little sally buck :(
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