# Northern Slimy Salamander (*Plethodon glutinosus*) The Northern Slimy Salamander is a small, shiny creature that loves to hide under rocks and logs. It has a smooth, black body with bright yellow or white spots that make it look special! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 15 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Northern Slimy Salamander](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Plethodon_cylindraceusPCCA20060409-3183A.jpg&width=800) Photo: Patrick Coin ( Patrick Coin ), CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plethodon_cylindraceusPCCA20060409-3183A.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern Slimy Salamander is a glossy black amphibian covered in tiny, silvery-white or gold flecks, giving it a 'starry' appearance. It has a robust body and a long tail, often appearing moist. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Plethodontidae - **Genus:** Plethodon ## Interesting facts - Each salamander has a unique pattern of speckles, like a fingerprint! - Females guard their eggs for months, acting as very protective parents. - They hatch as miniature adults, skipping the typical tadpole stage entirely! - They often hide under logs and rocks, making them champions of hide-and-seek! ## Special abilities - **Sticky Shield:** Northern Slimy Salamander can produce super-sticky glue from its skin that helps them escape predators by making them difficult to hold. - **Skin Breather:** Northern Slimy Salamander has special skin that allows them to absorb oxygen directly from the air, helping them breathe without lungs. - **Quick Escape Tail:** Northern Slimy Salamander can drop its tail when caught, which wriggles to distract predators while they make a quick getaway. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12-21 cm - **Weight:** 0.01-0.03 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-20 years - **Speed:** 0.1 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 6-36 ## Diet & Feeding These slimy hunters slurp up tiny forest critters like worms and insects to stay healthy. - **Primary Foods:** Earthworms, Slugs, Snails, Spiders, Ants, Beetles - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — A common snake predator in their forest homes. - **Eats:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — Actively hunts and consumes these burrowing invertebrates. - **Eats:** Red Wood Ant (*Formica rufa*) — Feeds on various ant species found in leaf litter. - **Eaten by:** Virginia Opossum (*Didelphis virginiana*) — Opportunistic mammal predators might eat them. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [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. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Threatened](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/threatened): Threatened status denotes a species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future without effective conservation interventions. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low It's best to look at salamanders from a distance and not touch them, as they can be sensitive. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern Slimy 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 Northern Slimy Salamander? 12-21 cm ### How much does Northern Slimy Salamander weigh? 0.01-0.03 kg ### How long does Northern Slimy Salamander live? 10-20 years ### How fast can Northern Slimy Salamander move? 0.1 km/h ### What does Northern Slimy Salamander eat? These slimy hunters slurp up tiny forest critters like worms and insects to stay healthy. ### Where is Northern Slimy Salamander usually found? Forests ### How does Northern Slimy Salamander hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Alabama City Wall Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alabama-city-wall-street-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Bald Eagle State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bald-eagle-state-forest) — Pennsylvania, US · Forest - [Camp Misty Mount Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/camp-misty-mount-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Fort Payne Boom Town Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-payne-boom-town-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Gadsden Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gadsden-downtown-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Lyman Run State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lyman-run-state-park) — Pennsylvania, US · State Park [View all places to see Northern Slimy Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-slimy-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: [Northern Slimy Salamander: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-slimy-salamander)