Western Slimy Salamander
Plethodon albagula
This is a long, slender salamander with a total length usually between 6-8 inches. The western slimy salamander has a black background color with white flecks from the ba…
How to identify
This is a long, slender salamander with a total length usually between 6-8 inches. The western slimy salamander has a black background color with white flecks from the back of the head to the tail. Species in Texas usually have more prominent white spots while the other in Nueces Canyon are mostly black with white spots only at the sides. The eyes are big and bulbous. These salamanders do not have an aquatic phase and spend all their lives on land. They are lungless and respire through their skin.
Range
They are endemic to the United States and can be found in a couple of disjunct communities, they are found from Missouri to Oklahoma, and Arkansas while the other group can be found in south-central Texas.
Habitat
These salamanders are typically found in the north-facing slopes in sheltered canyons. They can be found where there are ferns, and mosses and brushes of bluestem grass. They are found easily in rock crevices on wet road-cuts. They spend most of their time in crevices and under the ground. They can only be seen active on the surface in early spring and winter. They take shelter under rocks and logs in the day and enjoy the moistness of crevices in dry weather. Females lay eggs in a clutch of up to 18 in caves and abandoned mines. They prey on hymenopterans, coleopterans, isopods, dipterans, and formicids.
Similar species
The Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) is roughly similar in size (4.7-6.7 inches) with the western slimy salamander. It has a black background color but with silver or gold flecks on the dorsum. The Small-mouthed Salamander (Ambystoma texanum) has an average length range between 4.5-7.0 inches. It usually has a black or dark brown background color with light-grey or silvery flecks. They have black undersides and up to 15 costal grooves. The Arboreal Salamander (Aneides lugubris) is very small (SVL of 2.6-3.9 inches). It has a purple-brown color and dorsal flecks of yellow or gold.
Name and etymology
Albagula: Latin for white (alba) throat (gula).
At a glance
Range
They are endemic to the United States and can be found in a couple of disjunct communities, they are found from Missouri to O…
Habitat
These salamanders are typically found in the north-facing slopes in sheltered canyons. They can be found where there are fern…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap