Removed this large Fire Salamander from the well.
It either lived there (the well is mostly dry due to a leak) or it got syphoned into it with today's heavy #rain. It was resting on top of the only bit of rock that stood above the water surface.
Any advice on how/where to release this fella? I know they need access to water so I might need to find a stream or pond of sorts in the vicinity.
Update: I went to check on it later at night and it had just climbed out of it's little improvised den, strolling along the vegetable garden!
Following your advices and after some reading, I ended up releasing it in one of the edges of the property, where there's no risk of being stepped on. It's a north-facing slope. It's mossy and has many leaves and rocks. It went it's way into a hole underneath a rock. No water nor streams though.. but hopefully it'll do OK!
@mstrlaw Thanks for rescuing this gorgeous creature.
@mstrlaw Oh, well done!
If you haven't already, I'd try to release it close to where you found it, or wherever you think it got washed in from. Piles of branches and logs, or stones are good. Lots of nooks and crannies to take refuge.
@smbsy I'm not sure where it came from and don't want to leave it on the terrain as it might get eaten or stepped on.
For now I put it where the water converges before it drops in the well (and fenced the hole properly), with some wood planks, rocks and leaves.
Not amazing... but it'll do for now until I find a better place.
He's a beauty! Until a smart herper jumps in, Wikipedia says "They prefer deciduous forests since they like to hide in fallen leaves and around mossy tree trunks. They need small brooks or ponds with clean water in their habitat"
Good luck
Another THANK YOU for helping this beautiful critter! And for being thoughtful about it.
How best to release a rescued animal? Probably it's best to put it as close to where you found it as possible, though sometimes that place is just too dangerous. You are right to worry about predation, etc.
FYI Dr. Matthew P Rowe (U Oklahoma) studied survival rate of snakes transplanted from one area to another. Most did not survive. Familiarity with your neighborhood is important!
I reached out to a salamander enthusiast on Blue Sky who has written books about them
and he said
"I would look for a forested area with moss. They actually can’t swim so avoid actual water."
@Lilysea Didn’t know that! Thanks!
Deciduous forest, slopes of hills, deep leaf cover, near moving water. Doesn't need to be a deep stream.