Range
This species is endemic to the Appalachian Mountains present in the United States.
Habitats
The habitats of the Tennessee cave salamander include streams, mud or rock, rimstone pools and isolated pools. It is known to prefer clear water without sediments. This species feeds on amphipods, beetles, earthworms, stoneflies and small aquatic invertebrates that live in caves. Fertilization occurs during the periods when the males have spermatophores which are picked up by the female cloaca. The eggs are attached to the underside of rocks. The gyrinophilus palleucus is paedomorphic, that is, it remains in the larval stage for all of its life
Identification
The length of this species ranges from 4.0-7.5 inches. The Tennessee cave salamander or Gyrinophilus palleucus has an overall coloration that ranges from salmon to pale pink. The underside of the belly is pale too. This species is known to have small eyes, wide head, bright red feathery, spatulate snout and external gills. A distinguishing feature of the salamander is that it has no eyelids.
Learn more with Schechter Natural History's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians