Texana Thursday: The Barton Springs Salamander

The Barton Springs salamander is an endangered species (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo)

Barton Springs is famous for its cool, natural water, and for being a popular swimming hole during the hot Texas summers. Barton Springs is also famous for its salamanders.

According to the City of Austin website, the Barton Springs salamander was first discovered in 1946, though not formally identified and described until 1993. These salamanders are exclusive to Barton Springs.

The salamander (Eurycea sosorum) is an aquatic animal that measures up to 2.5” long and have small, narrow heads. They can vary in shades of gray. In some cases, they have a yellow-brown color.

The salamander requires clean, clear, and continuous flows of spring water. Because of this, they live near the actual springs in the Barton Springs Pool. They can be found in gravel, or under rocks, in water of several inches to 15 feet deep. They eat small or tiny aquatic animals. They also feed on earthworms and white worms.

The salamander was put on the endangered species list in 1997. A consequence of this was that the city could no longer use bleach to clean Barton Springs Pool, as it had in years past. The city applied for, and received, a federal permit that permits the “incidental taking” of salamander lives when it comes time to clean and maintain the pool.

It should be noted that people swimming in Barton Springs pool does not pose a threat to either the salamander or ts habitat.

So, the next time you get to Zilker Park, enjoy yourself, and keep an eye out for a unique part of the Barton Springs scene.