Eurycea tonkawae (Chippendale et al.)

This particular newt, named recently, specifically, by some newt scientists after the Tonkawa Indians who were native to these parts prior to becoming victims of imperialism and winding up in Oklahomy, lives at Long Hollow Springs on the Wheless Tract in western Travis County (see September 1 post). Just about all these newts (the tonkawaes) live in a few springs identifed on the 7.5' USGS Jollyville, Texas topographic map. These are the ones we enumerate, and they are also the ones the Save Our Springs (SOS)organization has recently petitioned the US FWS to have listed as endangered. They are also allies of RGVECB in our expansive struggle with the forces of evil. Note how cute and clever in appearance this particular newt is. You can tell the different ones of this species apart by the head spots. This one styles itself Newt Gingrich.