ExploreAmphibians

Eastern Red-backed Salamander

Plethodon cinereus

The Eastern Red-backed Salamander is a small, colorful amphibian that loves to hide under rocks and leaves. They are great at blending in with their surroundings and can be found in moist forests.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Eastern Red-backed Salamander is a small, slender amphibian often displaying a vivid reddish-brown stripe down its back, contrasting with dark sides. Some individuals are uniformly dark gray or black, known as "lead-backs," lacking the dorsal stripe. They are lungless, breathing through their skin and mouth lining.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderCaudataFamilyPlethodontidaeGenusPlethodon
Eastern Red-backed Salamander
solitary trait badgecamouflaged trait badgecolorful trait badgeinsectivorous trait badge
Eastern Red-backed Salamander

Category

Amphibians

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Wow! It never drinks water, absorbing it all directly through its moist skin!

Wow! These amazing amphibians spend their cold winters hiding deep underground!

Wow! They come in two color forms: red-striped or entirely dark gray!

Wow! This salamander protects its eggs by coiling around them until they hatch!

Special abilities

Ability

Escape Artist Tail

Eastern Red-backed Salamander has a special tail that can break off to distract predators, helping them get away safely.

Ability

Slime Shield

Eastern Red-backed Salamander can secrete a sticky, bad-tasting substance from its skin to deter predators from eating them.

Measurements & details

Length
5.7-10 cm
Weight
0.002-0.006 kg
Lifespan
5-10 years
Top Speed
0.1 km/h
Clutch Size
3-14

Diet & Feeding

They munch on tiny bugs and worms found in the forest floor!

Primary Foods

  • Ants
  • Springtails
  • Mites
  • Small Beetles
  • Earthworms

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always wash your hands after touching any wild animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Eastern Red-backed Salamander?

5.7-10 cm

How much does Eastern Red-backed Salamander weigh?

0.002-0.006 kg

How long does Eastern Red-backed Salamander live?

5-10 years

How fast can Eastern Red-backed Salamander move?

0.1 km/h

What does Eastern Red-backed Salamander eat?

They munch on tiny bugs and worms found in the forest floor!

Where is Eastern Red-backed Salamander usually found?

Forests

How does Eastern Red-backed Salamander hunt?

Foraging

How many eggs does Eastern Red-backed Salamander lay?

3-14

Snap Map

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Recent Snaps

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Where to spot

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