Two Records of large specimens of Fire Salamander Salamandra salamandra (Linnaeus, 1758) (Amphibia: Caudata) in Bulgaria

Abstract

Two particularly large specimens of Fire Salamander have been registered in southwestern Bulgaria in late winter/early spring. Both of them are adult females with total body length 231 mm, and 219 mm. The two specimens recorded are the largest ones found in Bulgaria so far. Their dimensions are impressive for the entire range of the species. Both specimens have been found during the day in a sunny and dry weather, which has not been registered by other researchers in the cold half of the year in Bulgaria. The winter activity of the species has been confirmed.

Keywords

• Salamandra salamandra
• large
• winter
• diurnal
• activity