Other Amphibian of the Week

Red Backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

Red Backed Salamander
photo by Rklawton
leastconcern


Common Name: Red Backed Salamander
Scientific Name: Plethodon cinereus
Family: Plethodontidae – Lung-less Salamander family
Location: Canada and the United States of America
US Location: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, and West Virginia
Size: 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) total length

The Red Backed Salamander is found in Northeastern USA and Southeastern Canada. Like all Plethodontid salamanders, the Red Backed Salamander lacks lungs. The Red Backed Salamander is terrestrial and is often found under logs or other cover. The salamander has two morphs or phases, a Red Backed phase and a Lead Backed phase. The lead-backed phase has more of a silver coloring on its back compared to the red-backed phase.

Red Backed Salamander
leadback phase by Brian Gratwicke

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