Barton Springs Salamander Eurycea sosorum

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Barton Springs Salamander (Eurycea sosorum)

• Whitney Hubert
• Science
• Period 5

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Date Listed

• April 30,1997

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Description

• This salamander ranges in about 2.5 inches in
  total length, and has a small head with very,
  very small eyes. Their colors go from dark grey,
  to purple with some grey around it, depending on
  the start of the color at the neck, which can
  have gills of red and blue.

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Habitat

• The habitat of the salamander is under rocks and
  in rivers, they can swim to the bottom of the
  river and stay at a depth of about a few inches
  to 15-20 feet. They can also be found in small
  aquatic plants, and algae
• They live mostly in Austin, Texas, along the
  Barton Springs outlets.

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Food Source

• They eat amphipods, or tiny aquatic crustaceans,
  they also eat other small organisms.

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Interesting Fact

• This salamander is completely aquatic throughout
  its life, and does not adapt into a land animal.

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Why is it Endangered?

• Because it lives on fresh water, impure water can
  affect the salamanders survival.
• Urban water Run-off goes into the Barton Springs,
  and goes down to where the salamanders live, and
  then they breathe it.
• This affects how long they live. Just like if a
  human were to smoke for a long time, it would
  affect their lungs.

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Letter to Sen. Judith Zaffirini

• Dear Mrs. Zaffirini,
• There has been a problem with an endangered
  species known as the Bartons Springs Salamander,
  that has been on the endangered species list for
  more than ten years. We would like to advise you
  that the state should take extra precautions in
  protecting this beautiful creature. Some ideas
  will include Keeping the water clear and clean,
  and trying to stop excess run-off by building a
  ditch to lead the run-off to somewhere else.

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Bibliography

• http//www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/
  bartonspringssalamander/