Cow Knob Salamander
Plethodon punctatus
It is dark grey or black with irregular cream spots all over. It has long skinny legs with webbed rear toes. It has a flat head with bulging eyes, and a slight pink hue o…
How to identify
It is dark grey or black with irregular cream spots all over. It has long skinny legs with webbed rear toes. It has a flat head with bulging eyes, and a slight pink hue on the throat and snout. They reach 5-6 cm in snout-vent length.
Range
Small range in the Appalachian Mountains of northern Virginia and northeastern West Virginia.
Habitat
Lives on talus slopes at high elevations in temperate forests.
Variations
Cream spots can be dense or sparse.
Similar species
Most often confused with the white-spotted slimy salamander (*Plethodon cylindraceus*), which lacks the webbed rear toes. Also looks similar to the southern Appalachian salamander (*Plethodon teyahalee*).
Name and etymology
Punctatus: Latin for having spots.
At a glance
Range
Small range in the Appalachian Mountains of northern Virginia and northeastern West Virginia.
Habitat
Lives on talus slopes at high elevations in temperate forests.
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap