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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.