longtailed salamander (Eurycea longicauda longicauda)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHARACTERISTICS: This is the only salamander that is yellowish

with conspicuous vertical black marks on the tail. The color may vary

from yellow to orange to red. The adult measures 4-6.25 inches. It has

a broad dorsal bandlimited either side by elongate dots or dashes enclos-

ing small, irregular, separate black spots. The sides of head and trunk

have separate black spots, and the belly is yellow. This salamander breeds underwater in winter, producing a clutch of 90 eggs. The eggs are attach-

ed to stones or boards in or suspended above underground water and the

female coils around the eggs.

 

DISTRIBUTION: This species occurs in the western part of Virginia.

It is mainly terrestrial and found in and beneath old rotting logs and un-

der stones, in crevices, shale banks and beneath litter near the margins

of streams, and in caves. It is associated with cool, slow-moving water.

It is often associated with limestone and shale substrates.

 

FOODS: This species eats adult and immature insects, arthropods,
worms, and other terrestrial invertebrates.

 

 

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