Red Salamander
Pseudotriton ruber
Found throughout TN except in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain and most of the Central Basin. Four subspecies are recognized: Blue Ridge Red Salamander (P. r. nitidus), Northern Red Salamander (P. r. ruber), Black-chinned Red Salamander (P. r. schencki), and Southern Red Salamander (P. r. vioscai).
Description: A stout, bright red or orangish-red salamander (4.0 to 6.0 inches in length) with many, irregular black spots on dorsum and sides. Some black flecking on the chin and belly color is lighter red. Iris color is yellow. Color fades on older specimens to a purplish brown.
Similar Species: Mud Salamander has fewer and more circular spots and the irises are brown or black. Spring Salamander has a dark line from eye to nostril and a more angular snout.
Habitat: Occur in a variety of habitats ranging from aquatic to terrestrial. Aquatic habitats include creeks, springs, and seepage areas. Terrestrial specimens are found under rocks, logs, or moss in woodland ravines or open fields.
Diet: Aquatic and terrestrial insects, especially worms; and smaller salamanders.
Breeding information: Adults breed during the fall in small streams. Females lay between 29 and 130 eggs beneath rocks in the stream, and along sides of streams and springs. Eggs are brooded for 2-3 months by the female until they hatch in the winter. Larval period lasts from 1.5 to 3.5 years before they transform into adults.
Status in Tennessee: Common in the Great Smoky Mountains, but is rare in the inner and outer Central Basin of the state.
Fun Facts:
- Red Salamanders are partial mimics of the Eastern Newt juvenile eft stage, which is brightly red-colored and has an extremely toxic skin secretion helping them avoid predators (aposematic coloration).
Best places to see in Tennessee: Small streams of Cumberland Plateau or lower elevation streams of Great Smoky Mountains.
For more information:
The Salamanders of Tennessee web site
Sources:
Conant, R. and Collins, J. 1998. Peterson Field Guides: Reptiles and Amphibians (Eastern/Central North America). Houghton Mifflin Company, New York. 616pp.
Dodd, Jr., C.K. 2004. The Amphibians of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville TN.
Jensen, J. B., Camp C. D., Gibbons, W., and Elliot, M. J. 2008. Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia, University of Georgia Press, Athens, GA. 575pp.
