What prehistoric oddity did I just pull out of my garden?

Factual Questions
1

I was tending the garden trying to eradicate the voles that have recently taken up housing in the garden…they are creating these enormous mounds and I have recently found an enormous squash plant completely dead from having it’s root eaten…

Anyway, my SO was digging out one of the vole mounds when I heard a scream, more of a shriek and so I hustled over to see what it was and found this thing muddling around in the soil…

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My best guess was spotted salamander, but this guy looks nothing like the photos of the spotteds I’ve seen online. Tiger Salamander maybe?

And what was he doing in the soil? Weird, or no?

2

Where do you live?

3

Looks like a newt, or baby gela monster.

4

Colorado, at 8200-ft in Mountains.

5

Does indeed resemble a Tiger Salmander.

6

Hiya neighbor. What town? I’m on top of Hoosier pass, just north of Alma.

7

Some kind of lizard? Look like lizard legs to me, though I guess they could be amphibian’s.

Maybe you’re discovered something new & exciting in the world of herpetology. Or a garden variety lizard. A new & exciting garden variety lizard, perhaps, Colorado’s not been civilized all that long.

8

Well, it’s obviously garden-variety, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s common.

9

Gila Monsters are reptiles. That is definitely a salamander.

10

Suggested caption: “I’m remembering you, buddy, when I’m 30’ long”

11

We had crayfish, in out front yard, in Tennessee. Near surface underground stream. Bet this is the same.

12

That’s a salamander. I can’t identify it as a particlular type, but I’ve seen similar ones. You might have already doomed it by holding it in your hand. Because they are amphibians with porous skin, even the oils in your hand could be lethal. But that one looks big enough to survive. Go to HerpNETto get more info, advice, etc.

13

Oh wow, you’re out by Leadville…I’m up in Jefferson County, near Coal Creek. Just bought a house on a few acres…love it. Definitely settling in up here!

14

Looks like a Tiger Salamander … pretty cool! Thing was huge, I think he’ll be fine!

15

yeah, that’s a salamander–and I ought to know.

16

You are insured by the wrong company.

17

Salamanders need not live in streams. Depending on species, they may only need water for breeding, like toads.

18

yeah, I used to catch those in Wisconsin. Probably not the same variety, but a Salamander in any case. They can live in captivity if you can dig up some worms and keep the thing moist. Had one for several weeks as a pet, then let it go so it could do it’s hibernation thingy.

19

I’m confused . . . who let out the shriek, the critter or your SO? :dubious:

20

Totally normal. I’ve found salamanders and newts living in the dirt and under rocks in all the states I have lived. They need moisture but they don’t need to be in water.

I don’t know what species yours is, there are over 120 in the US. He’s a cute fella.