JAY PATTERSON  PHOTOGRAPHIC
insect, spider, reptile, and amphibian photography

GALLERY OF
REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS

Wandering salamander
Aneides vagrans
Large image 81 kB

Salamanders are terrestrial amphibians that feed on insects and other invertebrates. The name salamander means fire dweller and refers to the habit they have of rapidly leaving burning wood, at one time it was a commonly held belief that fire created salamanders. The Wandering Salamander is a lungless salamander, it absorbs oxygen through it's moist skin. This salamander is often found under the bark of fallen trees. An attractive species found on Vancouver Island, introduced from California. They are thought to have arrived on Vancouver Island by hitching a ride on logs used by the tannery industry. This theory is the result of modern DNA analysis.

Emerald Tree Boa
Corallus caninus
Large image 68 kB

Arboreal boa constrictors, Emerald Boas spend the day coiled up and draped over tree limbs. This shot is of the center of the coil where the snake's head rests.  At night these nocturnal ambush predators feed mainly on arboreal rodents. Native to northern South America.

Photograph Galleries Copyright ©1998 Jay Patterson

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