France in Focus

Under one of the various lids of our système d'assainissement non-collectif, I came across this fire salamander this morning.

Oooh

Lovely colors.

Nice one, RA. They're quite timid creatures because they're mainly nocturnal.

I have never seen one with the blue markings, all the ones I have seen around here are only black an yellow.

Would help if we knew where "Around here" is.

In the Nièvre south of the Morvan, 11 km from a village called Corbigny. Around here: in our back garden. Now green, two weeks ago it looked like this:

Loup-garou wrote: ↑Fri Mar 28, 2025 9:07 am Would help if we knew where "Around here" is.

I think they were asking where widge is

I haven't seen one for years but used to have them in the garden at a previous residence. Had to be careful using the strimmer to avoid harming them. Ours were only yellow & black. Warning: If you need to handle one I suggest you wear gloves and be very gentle. When they are stressed they secrete a milky white liquid that is a sort of protection from predators. It is a strong irritant. Also good to keep dogs away from them if poss.

Thank you for that, RA - I’ve never seen one before. I thought at first it was a mosaic from Pompeii.