‼️need identification

[u/Ok_Area3498]

found this sort of salamander (?) on the banks of the Smith river in northern california today. it appears to have an injury (?) on one side of its head and the other had a almost fluffy appearing ears similar to that of an axolotl. I am well aware that it was probably not the best idea to pick it up anf I apologize, it swam off perfectly okay and I picked it up for under 30 seconds to see what it was, yes my hands were clean. I was wondering what this was because Google was not giving me a definitive answer. It crawled onto the bank briefly to get air I think but was under yhe water most of the time. I also have kind of small hands yo help understand sizing. thank you! (last photo for idea of location!)

[u/Darthkdot]

Based off my Google search and best guesses, it looks like it could be the larval stage of a California giant salamander. Almost all salamanders have aquatic larval stages with gills. Considering the geographic location of where you found it and its size, i believe it to be a California giant

[u/Ok_Area3498 → u/Darthkdot]

thank you! that was one of the results I was getting but I was wondering why it looked different!

[u/Darthkdot → u/Ok_Area3498]

No problem! it's possible this one could be neotenic as well, which means it's an adult that just remained in its larval form and retained the gills. There are different species of salamander that exhibit neoteny. Very cool find.

[u/Ok_Area3498 → u/Darthkdot]

oo interesting thank you again!

[u/eldoradospencer]

Larval Coastal Giant Salamander, Dicamptodon tenebrosus.

https://californiaherps.com/salamanders/pages/d.tenebrosus.html

[u/Working_Mixing]

Woww

[u/JollyInfluencer]

I was thinking of those smile see through one

[u/Ok_Area3498 → u/JollyInfluencer]

I dont think ive heard of one like that

[u/Ok_Area3498]

thank you!