Savannah Slimy Salamander

Plethodon savannah

Reptiles & AmphibiansIn the app

The Savannah Slimy Salamander is an overall black colour. This colour is then overlaid with numerous silvery spots or gold spots across its back. Its total length ranges…

How to identify

The Savannah Slimy Salamander is an overall black colour. This colour is then overlaid with numerous silvery spots or gold spots across its back. Its total length ranges from 120 – 170 mm which includes its tail, but it has been seen to grow up to 206 mm. also, the males are not easily distinguishable from the females although the females are usually larger. Also, this salamander has 15 – 17 coastal grooves. This specie also has intercostal folds between its appressed limbs. Glands in the skin are present mostly on its tail which exudes a sticky substance. Lastly, it has a prehensile tail.

Range

The range of this specie is limited to the state of Georgia. In this state, it is restricted to the Atlantic coastal plain in Burke, Jefferson, and Richmond counties. Lastly, the range of this specie gets to its eastern limit at the Savannah River.

Habitat

This specie is usually found in woodlands except bottomlands which are subject to continual changes. They can be found underneath logs and stones in wood. Also, in crevices of shale banks and alongside wooden gullies and ravines. They prefer moist but not saturated soil which shows in their increased activity near the surface spring to fall. They are usually here except when dry. They breed from August to September. In the coastal plain, these eggs are laid yearly in the late summer or fall while in the mountains, they are laid every other spring. Their diet is made up of a variety of invertebrates. These include, but not limited to, earthworms, snails, slugs and spiders.

Similar species

Northern Slimy Salamander or Plethodon also has a black overall colour with silvery spots on its back. They range in length between 121 – 172 mm. Western Slimy Salamander or Plethodon albagula has a colour similar to the Savannah Slimy Salamander. They also have large, bulging eyes and long tails. Tellico Salamander or Plethodon aureolus have light chins and more yellow or white spotting on its sides. They are usually 151 mm in total length.