Red-legged Salamander

Plethodon shermani

Reptiles & AmphibiansIn the app

This salamander is mostly slate grey with contrasting bright orange coloration on all 4 legs. This orange coloration is sometimes solid, but often patchy. It averages 3-7…

How to identify

This salamander is mostly slate grey with contrasting bright orange coloration on all 4 legs. This orange coloration is sometimes solid, but often patchy. It averages 3-7 inches in total length and has 16 very obvious costal grooves. It has a pale gray venter, flattened head, and a thick, round tail.

Range

Small range in the southwest corner of North Carolina, spilling slightly into adjacent areas of southeastern Tennessee and northeastern Georgia.

Habitat

During the day, this salamander hides under rocks and logs. It emerges at night to forage on the forest floor. It prefers cool, humid environments at high elevations (850-1500 meters).

Variations

Pale grey ventral color sometimes extends dorsally onto the salamander's sides and cheeks. One isolated population in the Unicoi Mountains rarely displays the red coloration, but instead has white lateral spotting.

Similar species

Individuals which lack red legs and have white spotting can be mistaken for the southern Appalachian salamander (*Plethodon teyahalee*). Solid grey individuals look very much like the overlapping southern gray-cheeked salamander (*Plethodon metcalfi*). The ensatina (*Ensatina eschscholtzii*) lives on the west coast, but can have similar grey coloration with orange legs.