Size: Typically 2.5–4.5 inches (6.4–11.4 cm) in length.
Coloration: Yellow to tan body with two distinct black lines running down the length of the dorsum from the head to the tail.
Body Structure: Slender, elongated body with short limbs and a long tail.
Skin: Moist and smooth, as it is a lungless salamander relying on cutaneous respiration.
Habitat & Range
Native Range: Found throughout the southeastern United States, including parts of Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Preferred Habitat: Small streams, seeps, and moist forested areas with leaf litter and rocks for shelter. Commonly found in riparian zones.
Microhabitat: Typically hidden under rocks, logs, and within leaf litter near streams and seeps. Larvae develop in aquatic environments before metamorphosing into terrestrial adults.
Diet & Feeding Behavior
Diet: Carnivorous, primarily feeding on small invertebrates such as insects, worms, and crustaceans.
Hunting Behavior: Ambush predator; waits for prey to come close before striking with its sticky tongue.
Reproduction & Lifecycle
Breeding Season: Late fall to early spring.
Egg Laying: Females lay eggs in submerged areas near or within streams.
Larval Stage: Aquatic larvae develop external gills and remain in the water for several months before metamorphosis.
Metamorphosis: Transformation into a terrestrial adult occurs within 2-3 months to a year, depending on environmental conditions.
Behavior & Adaptations
Respiration: Lungless; relies on cutaneous (skin-based) respiration, requiring a consistently moist environment.
Activity: Nocturnal and secretive, usually active during humid conditions.
Defense Mechanisms: Secretes a mild toxin from its skin to deter predators; relies on camouflage and hiding for protection.
Conservation Status & Threats
IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)
Threats:
Habitat destruction due to urbanization and deforestation.
Pollution in freshwater ecosystems.
Climate change affecting moisture levels in its habitat.
Ecological Role
Predatory Impact: Helps control insect populations in riparian and forested environments.
Prey for Other Species: Important food source for birds, snakes, and larger amphibians.
Indicator Species: Sensitive to environmental changes, making it a useful bioindicator for ecosystem health.
Additional Notes
Special Features: Males develop cirri (small fleshy projections) on their upper lips during breeding season, which may play a role in chemical communication.
Maintenance Level: Low, as it requires a stable, moist ecosystem without human disturbance.
