Western Grotto Salamander vs. Dark-sided Salamander

Nearly every Kansas Grotto Salamander found is a gilled larva in a cave stream or spring run, where Dark-sided Salamander larvae also live (records share 6 one-degree squares). A: Tan, only faintly stippled or mottled in the Western Grotto Salamander; yellowish with distinct dark spots down the back in the Dark-sided Salamander. B: Tiny eyes, the lids partly grown shut in the Western Grotto Salamander; big, bulging, working eyes in the Dark-sided Salamander. C: Pale pinkish-white to brownish, no pattern in the Western Grotto Salamander; yellow to orange with dark spots and dark sides in the Dark-sided Salamander. In Kansas only a few springs and caves in far southeastern Cherokee County; endangered. Look, photograph and leave it in the water.

Photographs via iNaturalist under Creative Commons licences; the photographers are credited on the sheet.

More comparisons

• Oklahoma Salamander vs. Western Grotto Salamander
• Dark-sided Salamander vs. Long-tailed Salamander
• Dark-sided Salamander vs. Cave Salamander
• Ozark Zigzag Salamander vs. Dark-sided Salamander
• Northern Grotto Salamander vs. Dark-sided Salamander
• Southern Grotto Salamander vs. Dark-sided Salamander

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