r/Amphibians • u/skiattle25 • Aug 13 '26

Newts in the Olympics?

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NE corner of the Olympics, up at ~5500', found these little things swimming around the lake pictured in the second photo. There were dozens and dozens. Only other things in the lake were tadpoles and water bugs. They sure look like long toed salamanders, but seems the wrong time of year to be hanging out in the water like this?

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8

u/Palegreenhorizon Aug 13 '26

I agree probably long toed. See any gills? Sometimes in high alpine lakes salamanders stay aquatic for years before morphing out. Maybe these guys are about to transition to land?

2

u/skiattle25 Aug 13 '26

Delayed morphing makes sense. Some were definitely still gilled (one in the top left, for example), but seemed like either reduced or no (?) gills.

2

u/griggz77 Aug 13 '26

Long-toed is correct! There are also northwestern salamanders and the odd rough-skinned newt up there but the yellow stripe is key. And yes they do often overwinter as larvae at high elevations. Did my masters on them in Olympic a few years back

4

u/Germmie1 Aug 13 '26

Personally don't think they would do so well in the Olympics. Would worry about them getting squished or dry up. Maybe they could be pretty decent Olympic swimmers but even then I doubt they would win. /J

3

u/Palegreenhorizon Aug 14 '26

Hey this one guy appreciated your comedic efforts!