Hello cuteness! This tiny arboreal salamander, Aneides lugubris, was found climbing up the gnarly, old Douglas fir climbed as part of the Muir Woods National Park Bioblitz 2014 last weekend. Researchers, Cameron Williams and Rikke Reese Næsborg were scanning the tree trunk for unidentified lichen species when they spotted this lovely guy hidden within the cracks of the bark. It would have been so easy to miss this amazing amphibian and I’m so glad didn’t. After the photography session, the chap was placed back on his home tree.

I love this species because despite it’s cuteness, it has a predatory side that always makes me smile. Check out the toothy grin and watch out! To learn more about this salamander, visit California Herps.