Shenandoah Salamander

Plethodon shenandoah

Reptiles & AmphibiansIn the app

These specie of salamanders breathe through their skin and require damp environment for respiration. They are extensive in length up to 12cm with an average of 7.5cm to 1…

Shenandoah Salamander — Striped color phase

How to identify

These specie of salamanders breathe through their skin and require damp environment for respiration. They are extensive in length up to 12cm with an average of 7.5cm to 11cm and slim in size. They have two colour morphs which are striped and unstriped. The striped morph has a narrow red stripe that extends through the entire length of its dorsum. The unstriped morph is uniformly dark and the dorsum posses reduced brassy pigmentation. Its lateral sides and belly have a black pigmentation. White spots are also noticed laterally and on the venter. There are normally 18 coastal grooves. They also possess four limbs.

Range

species of salamander is endemic to Virginia. Its found in 3 places at Shenandoah National Park Virginia which includes: hawksbill mountain, strongman mountains and the pinnucles.

Habitat

In the three areas where they are found, theres the presence of moist soil with rocks and talus slopes. The hawksbill mountain have 3 types of talus which includes; type one talus which is characterized by rocks and no soil; type two talus which is made up of soil and leaf litters;type three talus which is made up of islands of soils under rocks. But the Shenandoah specie occurs more in type three talus, a little in type two and not at all in type one talus.They are less aggressive in territorial defence and so can easily be preyed on. Their defensive mechanisms includes:secretions, noxious skin and immobillity e.t.c They are inactive during dry periods and don't migrate. They feed on small invertebrates, insects, arachnids, centipedes, millipedes and worms. They mate during spring and autumn. Their eggs are laid in moist underground places. Females lay up to 4-19 eggs with an average of 13. The eggs are produced biennially. All larval developments takes place in the egg.

Similar species

Pigeon Mountain Salamander or Plethodon Petraeus are large in size and measure about 18cm in lenght. They posses an irregular dorsal pattern that could either be reddish brown, brown or olive brown. The pattern extends from the head to the anterior aspect of the tail where it stops. The posterior aspect of the tail is black in colour with few white and brass spots. Shenandoah Mountain Salamander or Plethodon Virginia are small but long. They also have two colour morphs. The stripe morph has a narrow red stripe. Big Levels Salamander or Plethodon Sherando are small. Their dorsum is red and gray sometimes with stripes. Their legs are long and they have a wide head. Valley Ridge Salamander or Plethodon Hoffmani are about 80-137mm long. They are slim with short legs and long tails. Their dorsal surface ranges from dark brown to black with scattered whitish or brassy flecks.