I don't know what kind it is.

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Lucky you! Good too see.

I've never seen a brown salamander. Up here, they tend to be black with red stripes. Your's is very cool!

It is great to see the bigger varieties! In Ohio a popular specie is the spotted salamander. Here is a shot in the spring of this year. Still can't figure out why they call them "spotted"....maybe polka dotted would be better!

-TT

Here is a link that might be useful:

My guess is that it's the speckled phase of the Small-Mouthed Salamander, Ambystoma texanum...

Mike

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:214435}}

I'm not sure what kind of salamander it is, but I don't think it's native to water. The water salamanders around here have ribbon like tails to help them swim.
I wouldn't put it in water unless it enters the pond on its own. JMHO.

Great pictures! Mike's id is right on target. It is a Small-mouthed Salamander.