# Dark-sided salamander (*Eurycea melanopleura*) The Dark-sided Salamander is a small, slender creature that loves to hide under rocks and logs. Its dark color helps it blend into the forest floor, making it a little ninja of the woods! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Dark-sided salamander](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Dark-Sided_Salamander_%28Eurycea_longicauda_melanopleura%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Peter Paplanus, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dark-Sided_Salamander_%28Eurycea_longicauda_melanopleura%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Dark-sided salamander has a slender body with prominent costal grooves and a dark, broad stripe running along each side, contrasting with its yellowish or orange belly. Its back is typically mottled brown or gray, making it blend well with stream beds. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Plethodontidae - **Genus:** Eurycea ## Interesting facts - Some salamanders, including this type, can glow under a special UV light! - The presence of these salamanders often indicates a very healthy, clean stream environment! - They often lay their tiny eggs under rocks or logs submerged in streams! - They use a 'lateral line' system to feel water vibrations, helping them hunt prey! ## Special abilities - **Tail Escape:** Dark-sided salamander can detach its tail to distract predators, which helps them escape danger and live another day. - **Hidden Hunter:** Dark-sided salamander has dark stripes that help them blend into their stream habitats, making them hard to spot by predators. - **Body Fixer:** Dark-sided salamander can regrow lost limbs, tails, and even parts of their jaws, which helps them recover from injuries. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 7-12 cm - **Weight:** 0.003-0.01 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Clutch Size:** 20-100 - **Metamorphosis:** 60-180 days ## Diet & Feeding They love munching on tiny insects, worms, and other small critters found near streams. - **Primary Foods:** Midge larvae, Caddisfly larvae, Springtails, Amphipods, Small worms - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Freshwater Scud (*Hyalella azteca*) — Feeds on these tiny crustaceans in streams. - **Hunts:** Midge larvae (*Chironomus plumosus*) — A significant part of their varied stream diet. - **Eaten by:** [Queensnake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/queensnake) (*Regina septemvittata*) — A common predator specializing in aquatic prey. ## 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. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [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. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [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, remember to look but not touch. They need to stay safe in their homes! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Dark-sided 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 Dark-sided salamander? 7-12 cm ### How much does Dark-sided salamander weigh? 0.003-0.01 kg ### How long does Dark-sided salamander live? 5-10 years ### What does Dark-sided salamander eat? They love munching on tiny insects, worms, and other small critters found near streams. ### Where is Dark-sided salamander usually found? Forests ### How does Dark-sided salamander hunt? Foraging ### How many eggs does Dark-sided salamander lay? 20-100 ## 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: [Dark-sided salamander: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dark-sided-salamander)