TEXAS BLIND SALAMANDER Typhlomolge rathbuni (stejneger) 



Order: CAUDATA Family: PLETHODONTIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : A blind, white salamander, with long slender legs, 

 a flattened snout, and permanent external gills. 



Present distribution : Known only from deep wells and underground streams in caves of 

 Hays County, Texas. Not known from Kendall and Comal Counties, Texas, although 

 previously noted in literature (FRG) . 



Former distribution : Same . 



Status : Considered to be headed for extinction in earlier editions of the Red Book, but 

 now protected by the Nature Conservancy and the Texas Herpetological Society and 

 prospects for its survival have improved . 



Estimated numbers : Unknown . 



Breeding rate in the wild : Unknown , probably each female produces only a very few 

 eggs. 



Reasons for decline : Capping of wells, draining of underground water sources; heavy 

 overcollection of a very restricted population by professional and amateur biologists and 

 by professional dealers in rare animals . 



Protective measures already taken : The Nature Conservancy, acting in concert with 

 the Texas Herpetological Society, and the American Society of Ichthyologists and 

 Herpetologists has bought Ezell's Cave, the type locality of the species. A caretaker 

 now lives on the property, and steps have been taken to restore the habitat by replenish- 

 ment of the guano base of the food web within the cave. Further information is available 

 from the Texas Chapter, Nature Conservancy, 909 Reliance Life Building, Dallas, Texas 

 75201. 



Measures proposed : Should be declared a protected animal by the State of Texas. 



Number in captivity : Practically none . Does not do well in captivity without special 

 attention . 



Breeding potential in captivity : None . 



Remarks : Mitchell and Redell (1965) indicate that this species should be placed in the 

 genus Eurycea . Their arguments are not conclusive, and the monotypic genus 

 Typhlomolge is retained here. 



References : 



Bishop. 1943. Handbook of salamanders . 



Fritz, E. C. 1968. (pers . comm . ) . 



Gehlbach, F. Baylor Univ., Waco, Texas (pers. comm.). 



Mitchell and Redell. 1965. Texas Jour. Sci., 17. 



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