Loda, Jenny. “Four Rare Amphibians in California Move Closer to Endangered Species Act Protection.” Four Rare Amphibians in California Move Closer to Endangered Species Act Protection. N.p., 30 June 2015. Web. 02 Sept. 2015.

 

This article is about the Kern Canyon Slender Salamanders who are about 5 inches in length. These brown salamanders have black sides and striking red and bronze patches on their backs. These salamanders live specifically in California’s lower Kern River Valley, hence the name: Kern Canyon Slender Salamanders. This article was also written by Jenny Loda who is a reporter for the Center for Biological Diversity.

 

These interesting creatures are specific to only the Kern River Valley. They only live on north-facing slopes and small, wooded tributary canyons. These habitats provide periods of moisture and high humidity that allow the salamanders to emerge from the underground hideouts and forage for food. They eat spiders, mites, earthworms, and snails. Their population is depleting because of cattle grazing, logging, mining, highway construction, hydroelectric development, and firewood collectin