eastern Red-backed Salamander
Plethodon cinereus
Conservation Status:
State Status: Secure
Global Assessment: Least Concern
Photographed by Christine Young in Sharon
Description
Eastern red-backed salamanders grow from two to five inches long. They come in two color morphs, either red-back or lead-back. Red-back morphs are dark brown or black with a bright red or orange stripe running from the head all the way down the back. This stripe often has dark mottling on it. Lead-backs lack the stripe and red pigment, being a plain black color.
Habitat
This species can be found in forested
areas, rocky hillsides, or urban and suburban areas.
Behavior
Eastern red-backed salamanders are very abundant in Connecticut. They almost always stay hidden in moist areas under debris on forest floors, like rocks or logs, due to their lack of lungs. They eat isopods, arachnids, termites, ants, and other insects. Predators of this salamander include snakes, other
salamanders, birds, and many small mammals. Defense mechanisms vary based on the color morph. Lead-backs usually flee when in danger, while red-backs stay still, using their bright coloring to alert and ward off predators. This species breeds between June and July. Males have territories under hiding places for hunting and mating. Females will lay four to twelve eggs under protective debris such as rocks or logs, and will guard them until they hatch. These salamanders do not have an aquatic larval stage.
Range
Present
