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Northern Slimy Salamander

Plethodon glutinosus

Conservation Status:

State Status: Imperiled

State Listing: Threatened

Global Assessment: Least Concern

Photo needed! Email ajones7428@gmail.com

Description

Northern slimy salamanders grow from four to seven inches long. They are primarily black, with white specks across their whole bodies. They have distinctly cylindrical tails. Females of this species are slightly larger than males.

Habitat

These salamanders live in undisturbed

forests and ravines that have a moist environment. They can be found on rocky slopes or within woodlands with plenty of debris to use as cover.

Behavior

Slimy salamanders are nocturnal, and hide under leaf litter and other debris on the forest floor during the day. They are territorial, and aggressive towards others in close proximity. Invertebrates

are their main food source, favoring beetles, worms, and many other insects. When threatened, this species secretes a sticky, gluey substance. While the predator is attempting to unstick itself, it gives the salamander time to flee. They breed in the spring, laying four to twelve eggs in moist locations under logs and rocks. Females remain with the eggs until they hatch. Slimy salamanders do not have an aquatic larval stage.

Range

Present

Northern Slimy Salamander.png

Northern Slimy Salamander

Photo needed! Email ajones7428@gmail.com

Often Confused with

Blue-Spotted Salamander

Photographed by Cody Limber

Blue-spotted salamanders and slimy salamanders both have dark coloration with lighter spots. Slimy salamanders have cylindrical tails and their spots are white, generally covering most, if not all parts of their bodies. Blue-spotted salamanders have blue spots, and these are usually confined to their legs, tail, and stomach.

Northern Slimy Salamander

Photo needed! Email ajones7428@gmail.com

Often Confused with

stevejr Jefferson Salamander_edited.jpg

Jefferson Salamander

Photographed by stevejr

Jefferson salamanders and slimy salamanders both have dark coloration with lighter spots. Jefferson salamanders are usually lighter in color, with slimy salamanders being a pure black. Jefferson salamanders also have laterally flattened tails, and small light blue speckling that is generally confined to their legs, tail, and belly. Slimy salamanders have cylindrical tails and their spots are white, generally covering most, if not all parts of their bodies.

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