Cait Hutnik, Photographer |
||||
Eyeless California Newt
Creekside, 29Jan06 |
Walking trails after winter storms, always watch where you put your feet. | ||
When motionless, California Newts can go unnoticed. | ||
Stationary at the base of a creekside oak, these newts appeared disoriented. | ||
While taking these photos, the smallest newt caught my attention. | ||
Its right eye appeared to be missing. | ||
California Newts are sensitive, fragile creatures. Avoid handling them. | ||
I waited patiently for the larger newt to move out of away. | ||
Confirmed. This tiny newt's right eye is missing. | ||
Was it born that way? Or was the eye loss due to injury? | ||
Newts frequently gather at a particular tree or rock. | ||
Without close examination, it's impossible to tell what happened to its right eye. |
||
Reviewing the photos, I noticed what appeared to be another injured right eye |
||
Perhaps newts lack eyelids to protect their eyes from injury. | ||
But its injury didn't prevent this newt from crawling away. | ||
Go to Dragons Underfoot. |
Go to Ensatina Salamander. |
Go to Pacific Giant Salamander. |