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Red Backed Salamander

Red backed salamander is a species of small, slender, lungless salamander found in eastern North America. The species is devoid of larval stage as young hatch out from the eggs as small adults. The salamander is terrestrial and territorial as it marks its territory with its scent and dung to notify other salamanders of its presence, range and size.



    Kingdom Animalia
    Phylum Chordata
    Class Amphibia
    Order Caudata
    Family Plethodontidae
    Genus Plethodon
    Scientific Name Plethodon cinereus


    Other Names Eastern red-backed salamander, northern red-backed salamander
    Size 5.7 to 10.0 cm
    Weight 0.5 g
    Color Gray or black upper surface with some individuals having a red or orange stripe extending from the neck onto the tail; mottled white and gray belly
    Distribution Missouri, Carolina, Minnesota (United States), Canada
    Habitat Leaf litter on the ground, under rocks, logs, or in small burrows in deciduous forests; lives in humid environment
    Diet Mites, millipedes, centipedes, ants, beetles, snails, spiders, earthworms, flies, larvae
    Hibernation Fact Hibernate during winter in underground burrows, sometime in groups
    Predators Snakes, birds, mammals, large frogs
    Breeding Season Autumn to spring
    Mode of Reproduction Oviparous (egg laying)
    Clutch Size 4 to 17eggs
    Incubation Period 6 to 8 weeks
    Reproductive Age Around 2 years of age
    Average Lifespan Around 25 years
    IUCN Conservation Status Least Concern

    Red Backed Salamander Pictures Gallery

    Published on March 16th 2017 by under Salamanders. Article was last reviewed on 30th September 2019.

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