Northern red salamander
(Pseudotriton ruber)

IDENTIFICATION: Ranges in length between 10-15.2 the record being 18.1 cm. This large orange to bright salamander has black spots and is one of the most spectacular in this area. Older adults may be more purple in color. Iris of eye is usually yellow. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY: The northern red flourish in mature, deciduous forests with clean streams. Stream siltation and pollution limit or eradicate populations of this species.
BREEDING/LARVAE: The season for breeding is geographically variable, but usually does not include the coldest months of winter. Most of the adult population breeds annually. During courtship the male rubs his snout across the female's snout, cheeks, and chin. After this, the male moves his body under her chin and begins to undulate his tail. The female then straddles the male and they engage in a tail-straddle walk that ends with the male depositing a spermatophore. The eggs are without pigment and are attached separately in little clusters.
HABITAT: These salamanders are found under moss, stones or other objects in or around streams.
PREDATORS: There is little documentation for predators, but they are thought to include raccoons, skunks, some snakes, birds, and shrews. When in fear of attack the northern red assumes a defensive position that includes curling the body so that the head is under the raised tail. The color of the northern red is thought to imitate that of the red eft (Notophthalmus viridescens) for protection, and their color usually resembles the red eft in regions where the red eft is more common.
FOOD: This species generally feeds on invertebrates and small amphibians. The adults are opportunistic foragers and have been recorded to eat other salamanders, snails, earthworms, spiders, insects, millipedes, and more.
RANGE: The northern red salamander can be found southern parts of New York southward to northern parts of Florida and westward from Ohio to Mississippi.

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