Spotted Dusky Salamander

Range

The range of this salamander in the United States includes Maine, New England, New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, eastern and southern Ohio, eastern Kentucky, southeastern Indiana, eastern Tennessee, and the western regions of North Carolina.

Habitats

Spotted dusky salamanders are best found near cool streams and small rivers. They can also be found near wooded streams, seepage hillsides, weed-choked streams, and underneath stones, logs, bark, and various debris on the ground. They are found in different habitat but it must be moist and near a fresh water source. They mate in the fall and spring and their reproduction is semi-aquatic. The females deposit eggs under rocks or logs. The larvae feed on mites, clams, and copepods while adults feed on ants, spiders, beetles, caterpillars, mites and many types of insects.

Identification

This is a lungless, sturdy salamander with a keeled tail and is moderately-sized (between 2.5-5.0 inches). The dorsum is usually spotted with about 7 pairs of golden flecks and sometimes the spots may form a bordered stripe. The underside is typically light with dark spots. The background coloration varies by range but colors include a muddy brown, light brown, yellowish-brown, and dark green.

Learn more with Schechter Natural History's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians