Cheoah Bald Salamander
Plethodon cheoah
4.5-6 cm from snout to vent. This salamander is primarily slate grey, with orange-red splotches on its proximal legs. It has costal grooves and long legs.
How to identify
4.5-6 cm from snout to vent. This salamander is primarily slate grey, with orange-red splotches on its proximal legs. It has costal grooves and long legs.
Range
Very small range in the Nantahala National Forest of southwestern North Carolina.
Habitat
Hidden among cool, moist leaf litter on the floor of the temperate forest. Likely retreats underground when conditions are too dry or cold.
Variations
The orange coloration may also be present around the mouth and face.
Similar species
Most similar to the Appalachian (red-cheeked) salamander (*Plethodon jordani*), which has the same grey coloration with an orange-red patch on each cheek, rather than on the legs.
Name and etymology
Genus
Plethodon
Greek for full of (plethore) teeth (odon).
Origin
Sources
- Tschudi, "1838" 1839. reprinted in Classif. Batr., Mem. Soc. Sci. Nat. Neuchatel, p. 92 ↗
Plethodon. Tschudi, "1838" 1839 - reprinted in Classif. Batr., Mem. Soc. Sci. Nat. Neuchatel, p. 92
Species epithet
cheoah
Of Cheoah Bald, North Carolina.
Sources
- Highton and Peabody, 2000
Plethodon montanus. Highton and Peabody, 2000
Explore more names in the etymology index.
At a glance
Range
Very small range in the Nantahala National Forest of southwestern North Carolina.
Habitat
Hidden among cool, moist leaf litter on the floor of the temperate forest. Likely retreats underground when conditions are to…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap