If you’re exploring the clear, rocky springs and streams around Austin, Texas, you might just be in the presence of a local legend — the Jollyville Plateau Salamander (Eurycea tonkawae). This little amphibian is rare, reclusive, and completely tied to its spring-fed habitat. In fact, it’s found nowhere else in the world. Its entire existence depends on the clean, cool waters of the Edwards Plateau in central Texas.
What makes it especially fascinating? For one, these salamanders never grow out of their gills. They’re neotenic, meaning they keep features normally only seen in larvae — like external gills — for their entire lives. It’s like staying a kid forever, but on purpose.
Size & Physical Appearance
Jollyville Plateau Salamanders are small and slender. Adults typically measure between 1.5 to 2.5 inches long from snout to tail. Their bodies are usually light brown to yellowish with dark speckles or patches that vary depending on the individual and the lighting in their habitat.
They’ve got long, thin tails and visible external gills that branch out from the sides of their heads like little pinkish-red feathers. These gills are a key giveaway that you’re looking at a species that lives its entire life in the water.
Males and females look pretty similar, though males may have slightly broader heads during the breeding season. Juveniles look like smaller versions of the adults but may have less prominent markings.
Habitat and Range
This species has an extremely limited range. It’s only found in Travis and Williamson counties in central Texas — mostly in and around the Jollyville Plateau, a part of the larger Edwards Plateau.
They’re almost exclusively associated with spring-fed streams and seeps that maintain consistent temperature and flow. These habitats need to have clean, cool, oxygen-rich water, and lots of gravel or rock crevices where the salamanders can hide.
You won’t see them high up in the hills — they’re low-elevation specialists, sticking close to moist, stable aquatic environments. Because of their dependence on groundwater, they’re especially vulnerable to drought, water pollution, and urban development.
Diet
Jollyville Plateau Salamanders may be small, but they’re fierce little predators. They feed on tiny aquatic invertebrates like:
- Snails
- Small crustaceans
- Insect larvae
- Worms
They essentially lurk among the gravel and leaf litter, snapping up snacks that wander too close. Because they live in dark or murky conditions, they probably use chemical cues and vibrations to help them hunt.
Lifespan
In the wild, these salamanders are believed to live around 5 to 10 years, although detailed studies are limited due to their protected status and secretive nature. They’re rarely kept in captivity, and breeding them outside their natural habitat is pretty challenging, so we don’t know much about their captive lifespan.
Identification Tips
Trying to tell apart members of the Eurycea genus (central Texas salamanders) can be tricky — they all look similar, and many share overlapping habitats. Here are some ways to ID the Jollyville Plateau Salamander:
- Small size: Adults are only a couple inches long
- External gills: Feathery, red or pink gills behind the head mean it’s paedomorphic (fully aquatic)
- Dark spotting on a light background: Patterning can vary, but you’ll usually see speckles over a tan or yellowish body
- Location matters: If you’re outside the Austin area, it’s probably a different Eurycea species
They can look a lot like the Barton Springs Salamander (Eurycea sosorum), but that species is typically found in springs closer to downtown Austin and has slightly different spotting and coloration.
Fun Fact
These salamanders can breathe entirely through their skin and gills — they don’t have lungs at all. That’s one reason they’re so sensitive to water quality. If the stream they live in gets polluted or dries up even slightly, it’s a serious threat to their survival.
Final Thoughts
The Jollyville Plateau Salamander might not be big or flashy, but it’s a fantastic example of how specialized and unique amphibians can be. Its whole life is centered around a few miles of spring-fed creeks in central Texas, making it a high-priority species for conservation.
If you’re lucky enough to spot one (or even just hike in their habitat), take a moment to appreciate the hidden world beneath your feet. And remember — clean water isn’t just good for salamanders. It’s good for all of us.
Looking to spot one in the wild? Bring your patience — and don’t disturb the rocks. These little guys do best when we let them be.