Home of the Salamanders -- Zilker Park, Austin TX
N 30° 15.868 W 097° 46.182
14R E 618348 N 3348731
This information sign near the Barton Springs Pool teaches about two unique native endangered salamanders, whose habitat must be protected
Waymark Code: WMTD3F
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 11/04/2016
Views: 1
Four signs along the walkway near Barton Springs pool discuss the geology, hydrology, human history, and biology of this fascinating and very fragile Edwards Aquifer area.
The waymarked sign is about the two small salamanders that thrive in this environmentally sensitive area, the Barton Springs salamander, ans the Austin Blind Salamander. The sign also details what measures are taken by humans now to ensure their survival and recovery in the future.
From the City of Austin: (
visit link)
"The Barton Springs Salamander (Eurycea sosorum) is a small (1/2" to 3" long), obligately aquatic, paedomorphic (retaining juvenile characteristics, such as gills, throughout its life) salamander that is solely located at Barton Springs, Austin, Texas.
Although some of the first specimens of the Barton Springs Salamander were collected in 1946, the species was not formally described until 1993. The salamander was given the taxonomic name, Eurycea sosorum, in honor of the citizens of Austin, who initiated and passed the SOS (Save Our Springs) Ordinance in 1992 to protect the Edwards Aquifer. The Barton Springs Salamander only occurs in the four springs, collectively known as Barton Springs, in Zilker Park. This includes Parthenia Spring, Barton Springs Pool, and three other springs (Eliza, Sunken Garden, and Upper Barton).
The Barton Springs Salamander only occurs in the four springs, collectively known as Barton Springs, in Zilker Park. This includes Parthenia Spring, Barton Springs Pool, and three other springs (Eliza, Sunken Garden, and Upper Barton)."