Austin Blind Salamander
Photo Courtesy Tom Devitt
August 2013
The listing of the Austin Blind Salamander as an endangered species underscores the uniqueness and fragility of the Barton Creek area.
Found only in the dark, underground waters that feed Barton Springs, these 2-inch long salamanders do not have external eyes. They have feather gills, a well-defined snout and weakly developed tail fins. The flow of pesticides and fertilizers into their habitat threatens the species.
These Texas Salamanders cannot survive in waterways polluted with pesticides, industrial chemicals and other toxins so they are excellent indicators of the health of the environment.
— Environmental Attorney Collette Adkins Giese
