Blacksburg Salamander
Plethodon jacksoni
Plethodon jacksoni has a slender body that ranges from 69 to 135 mm in total length, with males being slightly larger than females. It has a blunt snout, prominent eyes,…
How to identify
Plethodon jacksoni has a slender body that ranges from 69 to 135 mm in total length, with males being slightly larger than females. It has a blunt snout, prominent eyes, and 4 vomerine teeth and 6 - 7 parasphenoid teeth in two separate patches. Males have distinctive mental glands and swellings below the nostrils and at the base of the tail. The most characteristic feature of P. jacksoni is the presence of red spots on its back, which are rare or absent in P. wehrlei and P. dixi. The belly also has a different pattern of light and dark areas than the other two species.
Range
Plethodon jacksoni, also known as the Blacksburg salamander, is endemic to the Southeastern United States, where it is restricted to the Appalachian Mountains in southwestern Virginia and northwestern North Carolina. It inhabits moist forests and rocky slopes at elevations ranging from 600 to 1200 meters.
Similar species
Name and etymology
Jacksoni: Honoring Dr. Herbert W, Jackson an Associate Professor of Biology at Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
At a glance
Range
Plethodon jacksoni, also known as the Blacksburg salamander, is endemic to the Southeastern United States, where it is restri…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap