Photograph by Joel Sartore, the National Geographic Photo Ark
August 9, 2024 — Today, the National Geographic Photo Ark marks 18 years of bringing the world’s biodiversity into focus and what better way to acknowledge this anniversary than by announcing the 16,000th species added to the list: the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum).
Photographed by Photo Ark founder and National Geographic Explorer Joel Sartore at the University of California Santa Cruz, this salamander represents one of the first species listed under the Endangered Species Preservation Act, the precursor to the modern Endangered Species Act (ESA). This endemic California species has one of the smallest habitat ranges of any ESA-listed species, its entire distribution spanning no more than 25 kilometers (~15 miles) in southern Santa Cruz County and northern Monterey County.
Often found in underground burrows in California’s forested uplands and shrublands near their breeding ponds and marshes, these glossy black, yellow speckled amphibians face looming threats from habitat loss and climate change. Their forested habitat is being rapidly converted for agriculture and urban infrastructure. In addition, their breeding ponds, essential for their larvae to hatch and grow, are drying out due to frequent and intense droughts spurred on by climate change. The loss of these pools prevents reproduction and often causes juveniles to perish prematurely, intensifying the salamander’s population decline.
While population data is unknown for the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander, the number of breeding populations have greatly declined with some estimates suggesting they have halved from 30 to 16 in the period from 1954 to 2019. Many southern breeding ponds have been completely destroyed and others are only estimated to have 20-30 adults remaining. The small extant populations have also lost much of their genetic diversity, limiting their ability to adapt to environmental changes and putting them at even greater risk of extinction.
“The Santa Cruz long-toed salamander is emblematic not only of the plight of the world’s amphibian species which are facing rapid decline, but also because it represents a species, like so many others, that we can take action to change its future,” said Sartore. “If the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander is lost, it would mean a critical link in wetland and forest ecosystems would be lost. The public can help this species by supporting local organizations focused on protecting their habitat, encouraging management agencies to be proactive about their conservation, and by getting actively involved in the fight against climate change. After 18 years of documenting species for the Photo Ark, it has never been more urgent to help tell the story of wildlife and help turn interest into conservation action.”
Globally, amphibians make up the highest proportion of vertebrates threatened with extinction with an estimated 41% at risk. Amphibians play an important role in balancing their ecosystems, controlling insect populations, signaling toxins and pollutants present in the environment, and providing a source of food for other animals. Their permeable skin makes amphibians highly sensitive to changes in their environment and an essential indicator species of overall ecosystem health.
Like many other amphibian species worldwide, the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander needs more protected habitat and urgent action to combat climate change.
Since its founding 18 years ago, the Photo Ark has worked to bring much needed attention to all species in the world’s zoos, aquariums and wildlife sanctuaries through Joel Sartore’s award-winning photography. Species of all sizes, rare and common, are photographed without distractions or size comparisons granting them an equal setting in which to be appreciated for their innate and unique attributes. It is through this photography that the Photo Ark raises public awareness of the global extinction crisis, inspires action through education, and is working to help protect wildlife by supporting on-the-ground conservation efforts.
“There’s no better way to honor the 18th anniversary of the National Geographic Photo Ark than with the announcement of the 16,000th species, the endangered Santa Cruz long-toed salamander,” said Ian Miller, the Society’s Chief Science and Innovation Officer. “This milestone moment exemplifies what Joel’s nearly two decades of work on the Photo Ark is all about: using the power of storytelling and science to illuminate and protect our planet’s rich biodiversity, giving new hope to species facing unprecedented threats to their survival.”
Read more about this milestone at NationalGeographic.com and learn about how we can protect species like the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander at JoelSartore.com.
In 2006, National Geographic Explorer and photographer Joel Sartore started the National Geographic Photo Ark in an effort to document every species living in the world’s zoos, aquariums and wildlife sanctuaries, inspire action through awareness and education, and help protect species and their habitats by supporting on-the-ground conservation efforts.
The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 15,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content.
To learn more, visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.