Webster's Salamander
Plethodon websteri
It is a small Salamander with a length of 2.75 to 3.25 inches. It is brown or dark grey on the sides, with a yellowish or orange-coloured stripe that runs longitudinally…
How to identify
It is a small Salamander with a length of 2.75 to 3.25 inches. It is brown or dark grey on the sides, with a yellowish or orange-coloured stripe that runs longitudinally down the dorsum. Although, the stripe may vary from an even-edged appearance to that of a wave or lobe. The belly has splotches of dark spots on its light belly. Many species from Alabama have 18 costal grooves.
Range
The Webster’s Salamander is reported in few locations of Louisiana, South central Mississippi, central and east central Alabama, and west Georgia. Asides the interior plateau, the Webster’s Salamander has been discovered in all of Alabama’s physiographic regions above the fall line hills.
Habitat
The Webster’s Salamander is a natural inhabitant of upland rocky woodlands, dominated by hard woods, as most species are reported under rotten logs and rocks. They are also discovered near springs and cave mouths. They forage along the forest floor in search of small insects like ants, wasps, termite, and larvae. The species found in South Carolina have continuous activity period, during which they forage and gather food. Reproduction is terrestrial and the mating period spans between January and March.
Similar species
The Mississippi slimy Salamander (Plethodon mississippi) is generally black in colour with white, silver or bronze dorsal spots, with an average adult length of 12 cm. Bay springs salamander (Plethodon ainsworthi) has 16 costal grooves, and 4-6 costal folds between the limbs. Their skin colour is dark blackish-brown. The Scott bar Salamander (Plethodon asupak) has an average snout-to-vent length of 61mm and 67mm for males and females respectively. It has a brown or bronze dorsal stripe and white flecks that condenses on the sides and limbs.
Name and etymology
Websteri: Honoring T. Preston Webster.
At a glance
Range
The Webster’s Salamander is reported in few locations of Louisiana, South central Mississippi, central and east central Alaba…
Habitat
The Webster’s Salamander is a natural inhabitant of upland rocky woodlands, dominated by hard woods, as most species are repo…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap