Barton Springs Salamander

The Barton Springs Salamander (Eurycea sosorum) is a small (1/2" to 3" long), obligately aquatic, perennibranchiate (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).