Taxonomy
Common Names by Region
Description
The Eastern Red-Backed Salamander is a small, lungless amphibian typically measuring between 2.3 to 5 inches in length. This species exhibits two distinct color morphs: the “red-backed” morph, characterized by a straight-edged red or orange stripe running from the head to the tail, and the “lead-backed” morph, which lacks the stripe and is uniformly dark gray or black. Both morphs have mottled bellies, consisting of white and dark gray or black specks. The body is slender, with smooth, moist skin and a narrow head featuring prominent eyes.
Known Range
The Eastern Red-Backed Salamander is widely distributed across the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. Its range extends from southern Quebec and Ontario, through New England, and down to North Carolina, with populations also found in the Appalachian Mountains and parts of the Midwest.
Diet
This salamander is a carnivorous species, primarily feeding on a variety of small invertebrates. Its diet includes insects, spiders, mites, snails, and earthworms. The Eastern Red-Backed Salamander forages at night and hides under rocks, logs, and leaf litter during the day to avoid predators and desiccation.
Breeding
Breeding typically occurs in the spring and fall. Unlike many amphibians, Eastern Red-Backed Salamanders do not breed in water. Instead, females lay eggs in moist, protected terrestrial locations, such as under logs or within moss. The female guards the eggs, which hatch directly into miniature versions of the adults, bypassing the larval stage. Clutches usually consist of 3 to 17 eggs, and the female’s attentiveness ensures a higher survival rate for the hatchlings.
Lifecycle
Eastern Red-Backed Salamanders have a relatively long lifespan for amphibians, often living up to 10 years in the wild. After hatching, juveniles undergo a period of growth before reaching sexual maturity at around 2 to 3 years of age. These salamanders exhibit direct development, meaning they skip the aquatic larval stage common in many other amphibians. They remain primarily terrestrial throughout their lives, relying on moist microhabitats to maintain their skin respiration and hydration.