Blue Ridge Dusky Salamander

Desmognathus orestes

Reptiles & AmphibiansIn the app

It is a medium-sized salamander (2.5 – 4.5 in) with wavy, or blotched striped dorsal color pattern. Colors can vary from light brown through shades of yellow and bright r…

Blue Ridge Dusky Salamander illustration

How to identify

It is a medium-sized salamander (2.5 – 4.5 in) with wavy, or blotched striped dorsal color pattern. Colors can vary from light brown through shades of yellow and bright red. This species is very similar to others of its genus. They have a rounded tail and a line of light color from the eye to the jaw. Specimens can be seen to have a stripe that runs down the back. Stripe color can vary from red to orange, to yellow, to brown or even yellow. Instead of a stripe, some individuals can have spots or flecks on the back. Some of these salamanders have red legs or cheek patches. Hatchling salamanders have external gills and spend about 10 months as fully aquatic larvae.

Range

They are found at the Blue Ridge Physiographic Province from western Virginia to North Carolina (between Linville Falls and McKinney Gap on the Blue Ridge Divide) in the south-eastern part of the United States

Habitat

They thrive on wet rock faces, in seepages, along streams. In wet weather, you may find salamanders in adjacent wooded areas. They are found more terrestrial at higher elevations. The Blue Ridge dusky salamander feeds on invertebrates that roam the forest floor. Females lay their eggs under rocks, logs, moss or flowing water.

Similar species

The Ocoee salamander or Desmognathus ocoee shares a somewhat similar range. But the D. ocoee can be found in a much greater variety of altitudes. The Carolina mountain dusky salamander or Desmognathus carolinensis is very similar with little difference except in range. The Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander or Desmognathus ochrophaeus grows slightly smaller at 4 inches. But should be easily differentiated by its distinct range in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.