Southern Two-Lined Salamander

Range

Southern Two-Lined Salamanders are found throughout the Southeast, except for peninsular Florida. They are found throughout Georgia and South Carolina.

Habitats

They can be found in temperate forests, rivers, freshwater springs, intermittent rivers and swamps. They typically eat soft-bodied insects and sometimes even other smaller salamanders. It is one of the more aquatic plethodontid salamanders in Georgia. Those that live in streams occupy shallow areas where woody debris and cobble are present to provide cover. During breeding, the females lay their eggs on these substrates.

Identification

The Eurycea cirrigera are fairly small salamanders, with narrow bodies, ranging from 2.5-3.75 inches. They are light brown to light yellow with two black longitudinal stripes on its lateral sides running from the eyes onto the tail. The dorsum is sprinkled with black blotches. Between adpressed limbs are costal grooves. Males have cirri, which are small downward projections from the nostrils that are thought to play are role in chemoreception. Males may also be identified by a swollen cloaca.

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