Peaks of Otter Salamander
Plethodon hubrichti
A long, slender salamander with dark brown to black coloration and a dense strip of light blotches down its back. It has a narrow head, skinny legs, and 19 costal grooves…
How to identify
A long, slender salamander with dark brown to black coloration and a dense strip of light blotches down its back. It has a narrow head, skinny legs, and 19 costal grooves. It reaches about 4 cm in snout to vent length, with a tail that can be slightly longer than the body. Its ventrum is light grey and unmarked.
Range
P. hubrichti is only found in a small range around Peaks of Otter and the Apple Orchard Slope of central Virginia.
Habitat
This salamander lives on the floors of mature hardwood forests at elevations above 845 meters. It prefers deep, moist soil with lots of rocks and logs for shelter. It particularly likes rhododendron thickets, but will be found beneath other types of vegetation. It typically out competes the otherwise abundant Eastern Red-backed Salamander P. cinereus
Variations
Light blotches down their back can be white, silver, gold, or brassy in color. Some have a few spots on their sides as well.
Similar species
Very similar to the Cheat Mountain salamander (*Plethodon nettingi*), found further north in West Virginia. It can also resemble the prevalent eastern red-backed salamander (*Plethodon cinereus*).
Name and etymology
Hubrichti: Honoring Leslie Hubricht.
At a glance
Size
8.1 to 13.1 cm
Range
P. hubrichti is only found in a small range around Peaks of Otter and the Apple Orchard Slope of central Virginia.
Habitat
This salamander lives on the floors of mature hardwood forests at elevations above 845 meters. It prefers deep, moist soil wi…
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap