# Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander (*Desmognathus ochrophaeus*) The Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander is a small, dark salamander that loves to live in cool, moist places. It has a smooth body and is often found near streams and under rocks in the forest. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 8 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Desmognathus_ochrophaeus.jpg&width=800) Photo: The original uploader was Pfinge at French Wikipedia ., Attribution · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Desmognathus_ochrophaeus.jpg) ## Appearance The Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander is a small, slender amphibian with a dark brown to black body. It often has a reddish, yellow, or orange stripe down its back, sometimes with chevron-like markings. A dark line runs from its eye to its jaw, and its belly is mottled gray. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Plethodontidae - **Genus:** Desmognathus ## Interesting facts - It can regrow its tail if a predator grabs it. - It can use its strong tail as a prop to climb steep rocks! - Mom salamanders guard their eggs for weeks until they hatch! - This salamander doesn't have any lungs to breathe! ## Special abilities - **Hydro-Respiration:** Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander can breathe underwater and on land by absorbing oxygen through its moist skin and mouth lining. - **Tail Eject:** Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander can drop its tail to distract predators, allowing it to escape unharmed. - **Super Sticky Tongue:** Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander can catch fast insects by flicking out its long, sticky tongue with amazing speed. - **Camo Master:** Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander has varied skin patterns that help it blend perfectly into rocky and leafy forest floors. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 7-12 cm - **Weight:** 0.002-0.01 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 10-30 - **Metamorphosis:** 60-90 days ## Diet & Feeding It munches on small insects and other tiny creatures found in the damp forest floor. - **Primary Foods:** Springtails, Mites, Small spiders, Insect larvae, Small worms, Snails - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Common Harvestman (*Phalangium opilio*) — hunts for these tiny arachnids in the damp forest leaf litter. - **Eaten by:** Common Gartersnake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — eaten by this common garter snake in its habitat. - **Eaten by:** [Spring Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spring-salamander) (*Gyrinophilus porphyriticus*) — eaten by this larger, aquatic salamander species. - **Eaten by:** Masked Shrew (*Sorex cinereus*) — eaten by this small, fast-moving mammal. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Thermoregulating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thermoregulating): Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a salamander, watch it from a distance and don't touch it, as they can be delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander? Compare body shape, toes, markings, tail and skin texture. Tadpoles and larvae can look nothing like the adults they turn into. Amphibian Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander? 7-12 cm ### How much does Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander weigh? 0.002-0.01 kg ### How long does Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander eat? It munches on small insects and other tiny creatures found in the damp forest floor. ### Where is Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander usually found? Forests ### How does Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Chestnut Ridge Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chestnut-ridge-park) — New York, US · Park - [Lyman Run State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lyman-run-state-park) — Pennsylvania, US · State Park - [Mill Creek Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mill-creek-park) — Ohio, US · Nature Reserve - [Quehanna Wild Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/quehanna-wild-area) — Pennsylvania, US · Nature Reserve - [Battle of Camp Allegheny](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/battle-of-camp-allegheny) — West Virginia, US · Historic Site - [Elk State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/elk-state-forest) — Pennsylvania, US · Forest [View all places to see Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/allegheny-mountain-dusky-salamander) ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/allegheny-mountain-dusky-salamander)