Cave Salamander
Eurycea lucifuga
This vibrant yellow-orange salamander has uniform black spots, a very long prehensile tail, and long, well-developed legs. It has a flat, pointed head and large bulging e…
How to identify
This vibrant yellow-orange salamander has uniform black spots, a very long prehensile tail, and long, well-developed legs. It has a flat, pointed head and large bulging eyes. It can reach 10-20 centimeters in total length, with the tail accounting for 60-65% of that. Their ventrum is solid pale, and they have 14-15 costal grooves on each side of their body.
Range
Ranges throughout the middle of the eastern half of the United States. As far west as eastern Oklahoma, north to central Indiana, through the Appalachian mountains up to northern Virginia, and south to central Alabama.
Habitat
True to its name, this species does live in the rocky crevices of caves, but it can also be found hundreds of meters outside cave entrances in moist forest habitats. They will hide under rocks and logs, and thrive near freshwater springs. Hiding between exposed rock like limestone is preferred by this salamander.
Variations
Background color can be medium-yellow to bright orange. Also known as the spotted-tail salamander.
Similar species
Morphology is very similar to the long-tailed salamander (*Eurycea longicauda*), but that species has much more variation in color and pattern, and does not grow as long. Also similar in color and pattern to the red salamander (*Pseudotriton ruber*) which does overlap its range. However, the red salamander is much stockier with a thicker, shorter tail, and it has a higher density of black spots.
Name and etymology
Lucifuga: Latin for fleeing (fuga) light (lucis).
At a glance
Range
Ranges throughout the middle of the eastern half of the United States. As far west as eastern Oklahoma, north to central Indi…
Habitat
True to its name, this species does live in the rocky crevices of caves, but it can also be found hundreds of meters outside…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap