Redback salamander Plethodon cinereus

IDENTIFICATION: Size ranges from 6-10 cm. Record 12.7 cm. Both redback and leadback phases included. Both phases are dark brown to gray and have white and black "salt and pepper" bellies. The redback phases has broad red to tan to a cream stripe down the middle of their back. The stripe will narrow as you approach the base of the tail. The body is long and slender and well rounded on the sides. The mouth is fairly large, with a small tongue that doesn't fill the floor of the mouth. 17-20 costal grooves
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY: Highly acidic soils can cause a threat to the redback salamander. Like other salamander species, the redback populations are greatly reduced due to deforestation and intense harvesting.
BREEDING/LARVAE: The mating season begins in October and does not end until December. Courtship involves a tail- straddle walk common of plethodontids. The male's teeth are used to pierce the skin of the female or be pulled across it to pass mental gland secretions into the female's circulatory system. During this period spermatophores are deposited by the males and recovered by the females. The eggs are deposited in little clusters on the roof of a cavity chosen for the nest such as well- rotted logs. Females are very protective of their eggs. The average incubation time is 6 weeks.
HABITAT: A terrestrial salamander found in wooded or forested areas. Hides beneath logs, barks, stones, ect…
FOOD: Small invertebrates are the primary food source including ants, beetles, flies, earthworms, and spiders.
PREDATORS: The redback salamander is eaten by woodland snakes, birds, and even spiders feed on them.
RANGE: Parts of Canada to northeast Minnesota, south to North Carolina, covering the majority of the eastern United States.

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