Cave salamander (Eurycea lucifuga) This was kind of a last-minute outing. I had a brand new crew of first-time herpers, so the plan was just to hit a spot I knew wouldn’t let me down. And it delivered. We turned up around 25 slimy salamanders and 5 cave salamanders without really having to work for it. Conditions were ok but a little dry. Bonus finds were a devil scorpion and a stick bug, which was one of my target species. The top find of the night was the slimy salamander e

Bill and I headed into The Pocket for a mid-summer walk. We started out on one of the side trails, mostly out of curiosity, but it turned into one of those trails that promises it’s going somewhere and very clearly is not. We cut our losses and returned to the main path. We saw a few wet spots and a nice spring opening. The trail eventually widened into a big meadow clearing. The vegetation height was ridiculous. Shoulder-level grass, a ticks wet dream. At a certain point, it

S and I after a successful salamander trip We gathered the newbies for this trip, with one goal: to get people salamander-pilled. The...

Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) Snail copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)

Not a lifer. THE lifer. For as long as I have loved amphibians I have dreamed about finding a hellbender. I would picture myself diving...

Herping near Dalton, GA started with promise, but quickly turned into a lesson in patience. Right off the bat, we spotted a beautiful...

Our friends had rented a cabin and invited us, on the way up I realized this looks like the perfect salamander spot. You coudnt ask for...

Date: February 6th, 2025 Location: Pigeon Mountain, Georgia Conditions: 59.5°F, misting rain Species Encountered: 2 Seal Salamanders, 26 Pigeon Mountain Salamanders, 1 Pickerel Frog, 1 Red Salamander, 1 Spring Salamander, 4 Cave Salamanders, countless Red-backed Salamanders There’s something about starting a herp trip solo, in the pitch black, on a damp winter night that makes the skin crawl just a little more than usual. On February 6th, I set out for Pigeon Mountain in nort

I showed up late to the party on this group trip, so I kicked things off solo—no cell service, no GPS, and no clue where the others had gone. I just hoped I’d eventually cross paths with someone. Honestly? I’m thrilled  I waited. Wandering alone through the stillness, I stumbled onto what I can only call a once-in-a-lifetime find: a two-lined salamander guarding her eggs. I snapped a few quick photos, then gently replaced the rock, doing my best not to disturb the expecting m