Blue Ridge Gray-Cheeked Salamander

Range

It is endemic solely to the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, USA.

Habitats

Forests or mountain terrains – even rock crevices are where you can find the grey-cheeked salamander. They can be found under logs, debris, rocks or roaming the forest floor due to their highly terrestrial nature. It is easier to catch the salamander wander the forest floor at night in wet conditions hunting for food. Food for these salamanders consists of small forest floor invertebrates. Eggs might be laid in underground cavities between spring and summer. The young are hatched looking like miniature replicas of the adults (live-bearing) and do not go through any aquatic larval stage. When threatened, they grey-cheeked salamander will release a noxious, sticky secretion that is useful to deter predators.

Identification

It is slender with thin limbs and a thick tail. Length can range between 3 – 6 inches. They are characterized by their skin pigment of dark gray with a light gray cheek patch. It has a sleek body with bulbous black eyes. No white or red markings present anywhere like other members of this genus.

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