Valley and Ridge Salamander
Plethodon hoffmani
They are small and can grow up to 72mm- 114mm which is their total length. Their tails contribute to half or more than half of their length. They are small and slender a…
How to identify
They are small and can grow up to 72mm- 114mm which is their total length. Their tails contribute to half or more than half of their length. They are small and slender and can be confused with the eastern red-backed salamander. Its color is usually deep brown with small scattered white spots and brassy flecks and has white mottling in its dark belly. It has short legs and its toes that look slightly webbed, its tail is long, round and tapered and also its head is distinct from the body.
Range
This species is endemic to the Appalachian Mountains. It is readily found also in northwestern Virginia, eastern West Virginia and western Maryland in the Eastern United States.
Habitat
The natural habitat of this species is hardwood forest in valley and ridge provinces, up to 1,400m in elevation. Places like mountain slopes and ravines are also favored and it seems to like dry conditions. However the valley and ridge salamander stays underground during hot and cold weather conditions. The female’s oviposition occurs in June and hatching of eggs happen in August and September. An adult Plethodon hoffmani is a night forager who makes food of terrestrial insects, worms and other small invertebrates.
Similar species
Northern Zigzag salamander or Plethodon dorsalis is often marked with an irregular orange or red zigzag stripe on the dorsum, but some can be seen to lack this feature. It has up to 17 coastal grooves and grows in total length to about 35mm- 45mm in males and 34mm- 50mm in females. Peaks of Otter salamander or Plethodon hubrichti is characterized by a dark-brown back, and heavily flecked down its entire length with a brassy color. Its dorsum and sides can variably be lightly specked with white while the venter is usually not spotted and ranges from light to charcoal gray in color. There is presence of up to 19 coastal grooves. Del Norte salamander or Plethodon is a medium-sized slender salamander and can reach up to 110mm- 115mm in total body length. Its limbs are relatively short, toes are also short and slightly webbed
Name and etymology
Hoffmani: honors Richard L. Hoffman
At a glance
Range
This species is endemic to the Appalachian Mountains. It is readily found also in northwestern Virginia, eastern West Virgini…
Habitat
The natural habitat of this species is hardwood forest in valley and ridge provinces, up to 1,400m in elevation. Places like…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap