Best of Austin®

Most Elusive Object of Our Affection

The Barton Springs Salamander

Oh, luminous, silvery blue-gray, blind amphibian with salt-and-pepper spots, we look for you in the bottom of the springs, in the caves and rock crannies around the creek, hiding in the algae. You're our canary in a coal mine, our endangered salamander that lives nowhere else in this whole wide world but our fair Barton Springs. Eurycea sosorum, we'll keep the waters pure for you.