J.D. Anderson 1959 Ambystoma m. croceum Mar. 1 1/2 mi. N.W. Ellcott RR tie, 4mi. W. Watsonville, Santa Cruz Co., Cal. Tads taken under old RR ties, willow logs, wood piles etc. Temp data recorded: cl. temp. temp. under 14.6 14.6 21.0 21.0 13.8 14.0 13.8 13.6 14.4 15.0 14.8 14.8 1st adult was under dead willow branch, 6" diameter x 4 ft long lying partially imbedded in moist soil. The salamanader was lying at the edge of a burrow - tail v well exposed in burrow. Center's 1/3 of body facing out very exposed. As soon as log was lifted it turned rapidly & escaped into burrow. I dug immediately but did not catch the croceum until I had torn out 6" of the burrow. Burrow 1 1/2" in diameter - From entrance it went down 3 1/4" & then ran parallel to surface along length of the log. Soil compacted & very moist (SS #1 - 9s). Almost surely the salamander's burrow (built by ??). 2nd ad. Taken from a deep fissure in underside of an old RR tie. Turned tie & checked up in fissure which extended 3" into wood, was 8" long, 3/4" wide. Actually widened towards interior to ca 1 1/2". Soil dry in there. The croceum was coiled & well protected. Cl. temp was 20°C. The tie is exposed to sun so it may be too "hot" a spot for a summer retreat.