Northern Spring Salamander
Gyrinophilus porphyriticus porphyriticus
Conservation Status:
Description
Northern spring salamanders are five to eight inches long. They range in color from red, orange, brown, and pink. They have white, translucent bellies and brown marbling across their bodies. A dark line runs from their nose to eyes. They have thick, laterally flattened tails and snouts that appear to be square.
Habitat
These salamanders can be found in cold, clean freshwater that is flowing, primarily brooks, streams, and springs that are located in either hemlock forests or ravines.
Behavior
Spring salamanders eat smaller amphibians and invertebrates, sometimes even resorting to cannibalism in food shortages and eating their own young. Their predators mainly consist of fish and snakes. When threatened, they may tuck their head under their tail and secrete toxins. They lay their eggs in the spring.
Range
Present
