♪ ♪ In the serene, verdant corners of South Carolina's wetlands, a microcosm of life unfolds Here, numerous amphibian species rely on the abundance of moist conditions and rich vegetation, including a small but fascinating creature, the four toed salamander.

Like many amphibians four toed salamanders occupy a vital role in their ecosystems, acting as indicators of environmental health and contributing to the balance of both aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

However, their habitats are becoming increasingly rare.

To help protect this species, dedicated biologists from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources are diligently collecting vital data, ensuring that this remarkable creature continues to flourish in the wild.

The four toed salamander is intimately connected to its habitat, which consists primarily of wetlands, seepage, slopes and areas rich in Sphagnum Moss.

This salamander can be identified by its reddish brown to grayish brown coloration, unique chevron pattern, and dark flecks specks on its underside.

One of its most notable features is its four toes on each hind foot, a characteristic that distinguishes it from many other salamander species.

Yet it's the salamanders nesting behaviors that truly stand out as their most distinctive feature.

Amphibians, unlike reptiles, birds and mammals, do not produce amniotic eggs and thus rely on aquatic environments to keep their eggs from drying out.

These eggs are typically enveloped in a gelatinous coating that helps maintain moisture and provide some defense against predators.

To increase the chances of survival, amphibians often lay their eggs in large clusters, sometimes with multiple adults contributing to the mass spawning.

Once the eggs are laid, parental involvement generally ceases, with most amphibians leaving their offspring to develop independently in the water.

On the other hand, the four toed salamander lays their eggs in specialized nest on land adjacent to wetland pools.

Here they will lay anywhere from 4 to 50 eggs and instinctively guard them for several weeks until they hatch.

Female four Toad salamanders also frequently engage in communal nesting with multiple females, sometimes contributing to a single nest.

As many as 350 eggs have been discovered in joint nesting sites.

Although the females do not actively defend the nest from predators, their presence during the early stages has been shown to enhance the survival rate of the embryos.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources plays a vital role in the study and conservation of the four toad salamander.

Field researchers meticulously collect biometric data, recording the size and health of individual salamanders.

They also photograph the unique patterns on their undersides, which are just as distinctive as human fingerprints.

This allows scientists to track individual salamanders over time, providing insights into their movements, growth and population dynamics.

Additionally, SCDNR biologists mark the locations of salamander nests, enabling further study and helping to monitor the health of these populations in the wild.