My report is on the Batrachoseps simatus, or the Kern Canyon Slender Salamander. They are also known as Worm Salamanders because of their slim form. They have four toes on both their hind and front legs, which are attached to little stubby limbs. When young, they have long limbs with a big head and a small tail. Males have a blunt snout. The Kern Canyon Slender Salamander’s niche is in a streambed or water seepages and is only found in California. It may compete for food with other animals around its niche.

It prefers north-facing slopes. Also, it likes canyons with shade from a tree. They are usually found under a rock, log, bark, and leaf litter when it is moist. The amount of Kern Canyon Slender Salamander's is unknown. Kern Canyon Slender Salamanders eat small invertebrates. A lot of animals around their habitat like small invertebrates also. They have to fight and compete for the food they find. Their predators are amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds, mammals, large beetles, spiders, and centipedes. There are some interesting facts about Kern Canyon Slender Salamanders, but little is known about their history. Nothing is known about the way they reproduce. Scientists guess that they lay eggs on land like other salamanders.

Author: Dylan Z

Published: 2/2007

Sources:

Cogger, Harold. Reptiles and Amphibians. San Francisco, Weldon Owen Co.1999 Stebbins, Robert. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. Los Angeles, National Wildlife Federation. 1966 http//: www.google.com. 1/15/07 http//:www.californiaherps.com/salamander/pages/b.simatus 1/15/07 http//:www.californiaherps.com/salamanders/maps/bsimatusmap2.jpg 1/15/07 http//:www.72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:indeMJSnvRYJ:www.dfg.ca.gov/bdb/cwhr/lha/lha 1/15/07