Weller's Salamander
Plethodon welleri
They vary in length from 63.5 mm to 79.2 mm. It has 16 coastal grooves laterally. There's a line running from the head to the base of the tail of the dorsal median surfac…
How to identify
They vary in length from 63.5 mm to 79.2 mm. It has 16 coastal grooves laterally. There's a line running from the head to the base of the tail of the dorsal median surface. The dorsal surface is black but with an abundance of light golden or silver patches. The lateral surface has a distribution of golden spots. Belly has white pigments. The male is larger and endowed with brighter colors than the female. The head is slightly larger than the neck. The fore feet have 4 toes and the hind feet has 5 toes. The feet and hands are slightly webbed between short toes.
Range
They are found in areas with high elevations such as Mountain Rogers and Whitetop Mountain Virginia, Unaka Mountain in North Eastern Tennessee, Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.
Habitat
They live underneath logs, stones and rock. They are also found sometimes at lower elevations or mixed deciduous forest. They go underground during cold periods and resurface when its warm. They feed on chelonethoda, arachnids, acarina, collembola, hemiptera, lepidoptera, diptera, coleoptera. Breeding takes place in spring and fall that is around April and September. Secondary sex characteristics are evident during this time. Eggs are deposited underneath logs and moss mats which also serve as brooding sites. They lay 4-11 eggs which are about 3.6-6.5 mm.
Similar species
Northern Gray Cheeked Salamander or Plethodon Salamander grows up to 135 mm. They are black and belly is a mixture of blue and grey. Eastern Red Backed Salamander or Plethodon Cinereus is black or dark grey and it possesses a broad stripe running through the entire length of its dorsal surface. The stripe could be either gray, dull yellow, pink or brick red and bright red. Their length is about 57 mm to 127 mm. Yonahlossee Salamander or Plethodon Yonahlossee has a dorsal surface that is black with rust colored or red spots. The sides of the body contains white spots. The belly has the same pigmentation as the back.
Name and etymology
Welleri: Honoring Worth Hamilton Weller.
At a glance
Range
They are found in areas with high elevations such as Mountain Rogers and Whitetop Mountain Virginia, Unaka Mountain in North…
Habitat
They live underneath logs, stones and rock. They are also found sometimes at lower elevations or mixed deciduous forest. They…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap