Western Spotted Dusky Salamander
Desmognathus catahoula
D. catahoula is a relatively robust, lowland “dusky” salamander with a strongly keeled tail. As juveniles they often exsibit 5–6 pairs of dorsal blotches often reddish-b…
How to identify
D. catahoula is a relatively robust, lowland “dusky” salamander with a strongly keeled tail. As juveniles they often exsibit 5–6 pairs of dorsal blotches often reddish-brown in color. Adults are generally uniform brown with little patterning. A yellos or orange stripe may be present on the dorsal surfaceo fhte tail. Venter is typically light or cream-colored with indistinct whitish speckling.
Range
D. catahoula has a limited distribution from extreme eastern Texas to central and northern Louisiana. It can be found in the Neches, lower Sabine, lower Red-Sulphur, upper Louisiana Coastal, and lower Lower Red-Ouachita River drainages.
Habitat
D. catahoula lives in seepages, bayheads, and lower-order streams, often associated iwht blluffs. Individuals may often be found in muddy microhabitats under logs and rocks.
Similar species
Name and etymology
catahoula: Named for the lake and parish when this salamander is found.
At a glance
Range
D. catahoula has a limited distribution from extreme eastern Texas to central and northern Louisiana. It can be found in the…
Habitat
D. catahoula lives in seepages, bayheads, and lower-order streams, often associated iwht blluffs. Individuals may often be fo…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap