# Many-ribbed Salamander (*Eurycea multiplicata*)

The Many-ribbed Salamander is a small, slippery creature that loves to live in cool, wet places. With its many ribs, it has a unique look and is great at hiding in the leaves and rocks!

- **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Forests

![Many-ribbed Salamander](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Eurycea_multiplicata_multiplicata.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Stanley Trauth, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eurycea_multiplicata_multiplicata.jpg)

## Appearance

The Many-ribbed Salamander is a slender amphibian, typically reddish-brown to dark brown, sometimes with darker spots or a stripe down its back. It has a small head and notably prominent vertical grooves along its sides, called costal grooves, which give it a segmented appearance.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Amphibia
- **Order:** Caudata
- **Family:** Plethodontidae
- **Genus:** Eurycea

## Interesting facts

- Eggs are laid underwater, attached to the underside of rocks or logs!
- Its 'many ribs' are called costal grooves, helping it absorb water through damp skin!
- Many-ribbed Salamanders can live over ten years, exploring damp forest floors quietly!
- This tiny amphibian eats minuscule insects, acting as nature's pest controller!

## Special abilities

- **Skin Breather:** Many-ribbed Salamander can breathe entirely through its skin because it lacks lungs, helping it stay hydrated and oxygenated.
- **Tail Drop Escape:** Many-ribbed Salamander can detach its tail when grabbed by a predator, allowing it to escape while the wiggling tail distracts.
- **Regenerative Power:** Many-ribbed Salamander has an amazing ability to regrow lost limbs or tails, helping them recover from injuries.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 6-11 cm
- **Weight:** 0.001-0.005 kg
- **Lifespan:** 5-10 years
- **Speed:** 0.5 km/h
- **Clutch Size:** 10-30
- **Metamorphosis:** 60-90 days

## Diet & Feeding

These tiny salamanders are expert hunters of small insects and other invertebrates.

- **Primary Foods:** Springtails, Mites, Small spiders, Insect larvae, Tiny worms
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — A common predator that snatches them from leaf litter.
- **Eaten by:** Masked Shrew (*Sorex cinereus*) — Shrews are opportunistic predators that find salamanders in their habitat.
- **Eats:** Green Springtail (*Isotoma viridis*) — A primary food source, tiny invertebrates found on the forest floor.

## 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.
- [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 find a salamander, be gentle and put it back where you found it. They are delicate creatures!

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Many-ribbed 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 Many-ribbed Salamander?

6-11 cm

### How much does Many-ribbed Salamander weigh?

0.001-0.005 kg

### How long does Many-ribbed Salamander live?

5-10 years

### How fast can Many-ribbed Salamander move?

0.5 km/h

### What does Many-ribbed Salamander eat?

These tiny salamanders are expert hunters of small insects and other invertebrates.

### Where is Many-ribbed Salamander usually found?

Forests

### How does Many-ribbed Salamander hunt?

Foraging

## 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*)

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Source: [Many-ribbed Salamander: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/many-ribbed-salamander)