Natural History of the Salamander, Aneides hardii

"Natural History of the Salamander, Aneides hardii" by Richard F. Johnston is a mid-20th century scientific exploration of the Sacramento Mountains Salamander. This book reveals the salamander’s secrets, from its body structure and actions to what it eats and how it makes babies, all within its home high up in the New Mexico mountains. Based on three years of watching 277 salamanders, the study explains how these creatures spend their summers in rotting logs and piles of rocks, possibly disappearing underground when it gets cold. Readers discover the salamander's favorite foods, like ants and beetles, and learn about its harmless worm guests. With only a few eggs laid at a time, the book suggests these salamanders live a long time. It’s an important glimpse into the lives of these salamanders and how they can be protected.