Cave salamander

The Tennessee cave salamander was designated the official state amphibian of Tennessee in 1995. All State Amphibians The Tennessee cave salamander has three red external gills, a broad, flat head with small lidless eyes, and a tail fin. Coloring ranges from nearly white to dark brown with spots. This large salamander (4 - 9" long) is usually found in limestone caves containing streams in central and southeast Tennessee.

Arkansas

Researchers at UT have discovered the largest individual of any cave salamander in North America, a 9.3-inch specimen of Berry Cave salamander. The finding was published in Subterranean Biology.

The olm is also known as the cave salamander, the proteus, the white salamander, the “močeril” (in Slovenia) – which translates to “one that burrows into wetness”, and “oveja Ribica,” which means “human fish”. They can be found in Italy, Slovenia, Herzegovina, and Croatia. These critters belong to a collective of ancient amphibians that developed over 190 million years ago. They are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN, due to increased water pollution.

Loss of eyesight, loss of pigments, and development of special senses are some of the adaptations cave animals use to live in their homes.

On a spread of smalls island off California an ultra-rare fox the size of a cat roams the land, while over in Texas a blind salamander lurks in a cave.

Tennessee Cave Salamander

Cave Salamander (Eurycea lucifuga) from the Nachez Trace Parkway, Mississippi

Cave salamander

A friendly cave salamander lighting the way through his home.