In the mountains of the state of New Mexico lives a salamander called Plethodon Neomexicanus. In appearance, the Jemez Mountains Salamander is brown on top and gray on its belly, and it is very thin and elongated. It breathes through its skin and does not need to live in water at any age in its life. It dwells in the mountain forests of New Mexico, living amid fir, spruce, and pine trees. This particular salamander is a forager, which typically consumes ants and beetles for its meals.
Currently, its range extends into four counties of New Mexico: Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Sandoval, and Rio Arriba. This area in which it is found has a size of about 375 square miles, or 971 square kilometers. The historic range of this species is not known, but it is believed to be about the same as the current range. It reproduces by laying eggs, from which the new members of the species eventually hatch, fully formed. Females produce several eggs at a time, and this typically happens during spring.
Photo: Gary Nafis
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