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Red Rock West Torrent



Some populations of Cascades torrent salamander are isolated by surrounding areas of unsuitable habitat and are vulnerable to extirpation through stochastic events exacerbated by habitat loss. Temperature sensitivity and limited dispersal ability makes this species potentially sensitive to climate change.




red rock west torrent




Cascade torrent salamanders have large prominent eyes. The large size of the eyes (eye diameter approximately equal to snout length), relatively short rounded snout and generally prominent yellow component to the belly color are features that help distinguish torrent salamanders from other Washington salamanders.


The color pattern and morphology of torrent salamander species are similar and variable; therefore, torrent salamander species are best identified by collection locality and how that relates to the documented ranges of each species.


Superficially, metamorphosed torrent salamanders resemble woodland salamanders (Plethodon species) and ensatina, but torrent salamanders lack nasolabial grooves and a constriction at the base of the tail (unique to ensatina). Torrent salamanders and rough-skinned newts have a similar color pattern, but differ in overall appearance with newts being stockier, having a thicker skin that is often rough (in the terrestrial phase) and lacking costal grooves.


Eggs have not been found in the wild, suggesting females hide them well, perhaps in fractured rock or deep in springs. As in other members of the genus, eggs are thought to be unpigmented, laid singly and not attached to the substrate.


This species is generally found in high-gradient, cold streams, seepages and waterfall splash zones, typically in areas with a thick canopy cover. Interestingly however, this species survived in many sites that were completely deforested by the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. They usually occur in stream segments or off-channel habitats, such as seeps and waterfall splash zones, that are shallow, slow flowing and that have gravel or rock rubble that is silt-free. Adults are strongly associated with water and individuals are almost always found in contact with either free water or saturated substrates. During rainy wet periods individuals may be found in wet terrestrial forest settings away from streams or seepages.


Breeding phenology is unknown, but may occur during most of the warmer months of the year. Eggs are most likely laid in the spring. The first described Cascade torrent salamander nest was found on 14 August 2003 in a second-order headwater stream on the west slope of the Cascade Mountains in Skamania County under a cobble-sized rock in the middle of a calm stretch of the stream channel 4 inches deep by 24 inches wide by 28 inches long. This differs from other Rhyacotriton species that are described as laying eggs in deep cracks and crevices of springs and seeps. The nest contained five eggs that were not attached to the substrate or each other.


In Washington, this species ranges from the west slopes of the Cascade Mountains south of Nisqually River to the Columbia River. Distribution is patchy. They can reach high densities in optimal habitat.


This map from the Washington Herp Atlas illustrates the distribution of Cascade torrent salamander in Washington based on records in the WDFW database as of 2016. If you see this species in areas that are not indicated on the map or have more recent observations (less than 10 years), please share your observation using the WDFW wildlife reporting form.


Cascade torrent salamanders are likely highly sensitive to climate change due to their deposition on unattached eggs in low flow habitats, their inability to tolerate desiccation and specialized habitat requirements. Declines in water availability and timing (e.g., due to reduced snowpack and earlier snow melt), as well as increased sedimentation (e.g., due to shifts from snow to rain), could decrease suitable headwater habitat for this species. Increases in the seasonal rainfall, especially that which results from extreme events from atmospheric rivers has the potential to blow out oviposition or rearing sites. This species may also be physiologically limited by high temperatures.


Torrent salamanders (Family: Rhyacotritonidae, Genus: Rhyacotriton) are medium-sized, semiaquatic salamanders with noticeably short snouts. Adults and larvae are often found in cold and rocky forest streams. Males are easily identified by the uniquely-shaped rectangular vent glands.


Northwestern salamanders live in moist forests or partly wooded areas. Though common in Oregon, adult salamanders are rarely seen because they live underground. Terrestrial adults require moist crevices in logs or rodent burrows in the ground for shelter from weather and predators.


Columbia torrent salamanders spend their lives in and near cold and clear water bodies including mountain streams, springheads, waterfalls and seeps in older forests. They need loose gravel stream beds for hiding and foraging. They are highly connected to their water sources, but in times of heavy rainfall, they may venture into a nearby forest.


Southern torrent salamanders spend their lives in and near permanent, cold and clear water bodies including mountain streams, springs and seeps in older coastal coniferous forests. For a salamander, they are able to tolerate relatively dry forest conditions.


The Cascade torrent salamander generally has numerous medium-sized black spots and white-gray flecking along its tan back and sides and a bright yellow belly that has fewer spots. Adults can grow to just over four inches in total length.


Cascade torrent salamanders spend their lives in and near permanent, cold, fast-flowing and clear water including headwater streams, waterfall splash zones and seeps in older coniferous forests. Adults need gravel streambeds or other gravel areas with constant and shallow water flow for foraging and cover.


The Larch Mountain salamander is one of the rarest amphibians in the Pacific Northwest. This small woodland salamander has a reddish-brown or yellow black-spotted stripe along its back and has a pink belly. The Larch Mountain salamander is one of the lungless salamanders that has to breathe through its skin. Mature adults can grow to four inches in total length.


Western red-backed salamanders live in humid coniferous forests with mild winters. They find cover in rocky substrates, including talus (rock fragment piles), boulders and rock outcroppings. They may also hide under or in rotting logs, leaf litter and other forest debris.


Del Norte salamanders live in older redwood or Douglas-fir forests and commonly use rocky substrates rubble, talus (rock fragment piles) and rock outcroppings for cover. During hot and dry or cold weather, they retreat deeper into rocky crevices or underground. They may emerge to just beneath surface debris during times of warm and wet weather.


Siskiyou Mountains salamanders require talus (rock fragment piles) or rock outcrops in older forests. This salamander retreats deep within rocky crevices that remain cool and moist during the dry summer. Even during the rainy season, Siskiyou Mountains salamanders typically shelter under rocks and debris.


Clouded salamanders prefer forest habitats or burned areas that provide large decaying logs or stumps. They are often found in Douglas fir trees where they can find burrows in the wood, or spaces just under the bark to hide. They may also hide deep in rock crevices during dry and cold weather. During warm wet weather, clouded salamanders with hide closer to the surface just beneath the top layer of debris.


Black salamanders live in forest, open woodland, moist talus (rock fragment piles) and streamside habitats. They use crevices in moist decaying logs or stumps, wet talus slopes or just under surface debris for cover during warm wet weather. During drier periods, they find refuge in the interior portions of large decaying logs and talus slopes or even along streams.


Oregon slender salamanders are most common in stable, moist old-growth (late successional and second-growth) forests where there are abundant large decaying Douglas fir logs and bark debris mounds at the base of snags (standing dead trees). They may also use moist talus (rock fragment piles) and lava fields. Occasionally, Oregon slender salamanders clump together in groups to remain damp.


Yes, actually, but we'll get to that in a second. First, though, you need some backstory. On Tuesday, Kanye tweeted a screen grab of a computer screen that showed Sufjan Stevens' "Death With Dignity" playing. What Deadmau5 noticed, though, was a Pirate Bay tab that was also open in the browser and what appeared to be an attempt to torrent Serum, a program to import and edit audio that is sold for $189.


Xfer Records, a label co-founded by Deadmau5, produces Serum, so the DJ was obviously not happy to see what he believed to be an attempt to torrent the technology. "what the f--k @kanye west ..." tweeted Deadmau5, along with a closer image of the rapper's screen shot. "Can't afford Serum? Dick."


Torrent Falls Climbing Adventure, located in the Red River Gorge, Kentucky, consists of a Via Ferrata, guided rock climbing, and guided rappelling. If one is looking for fun in high adventure activities, Torrent Falls with its ability to cater individuals, families, and large groups, is the place to come.


Dealing with the patrolling Ant, another Ant will sprint down the tunnel to the southeast, and upon defeating it you can either follow that tunnel to the southeast or go down the slope to the southwest. Moving down the southeast tunnel, as you turn the corner you'll find a corpse holding a Smithing Stone (3), as well as an Ant that will ambush you from the far end, as well as one coming up from behind you.


Backtracking and heading down the southwest slope, two Ants will drop from the ceiling. In the room beyond full of corpses and viscera, there will be two corpses; one with a Silver Firefly, one with a Golden Rune (1). There is also a corpse in the tunnel to the left holding a Golden Rune, protected by an Ant. You can platform up the rocks beyond to pass down a tunnel that opens out into a cave with multiple Giant Ants lining the ceiling, and an Ant Queen on the floor to the left. These are all non-hostile unless you attack the Queen, so do so at your own peril. As such, if you wish, you can pass by without issue and after passing through the long tunnel you'll emerge above the Uhl Palace Ruins. 2ff7e9595c


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