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Northern Two-lined Salamander

Eurycea bislineata

The Northern Two-lined Salamander is a small, yellowish salamander with two dark stripes. They love to live in cool, damp places and are great at hiding under rocks and logs!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Northern Two-lined Salamander has a slender body with a yellow to orange-yellow back. It is distinctive for two prominent black lines running from behind its eyes down its sides, extending onto the tail. Its underside is typically a pale yellow.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderCaudataFamilyPlethodontidaeGenusEurycea
Northern Two-lined Salamander
striped trait badgesolitary trait badgecamouflaged trait badgeinsectivorous trait badge
Northern Two-lined Salamander

Category

Amphibians

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Sometimes they build underground tunnels near streams to stay cool and hidden!

Their name "bislineata" means "two-lined" in Latin, describing their stripes!

These salamanders can live under rocks and logs for many months during winter!

They spend their entire larval life living underwater as tiny gilled creatures!

Special abilities

Ability

Underwater Breathing

Northern Two-lined Salamander can breathe underwater and on land through its moist skin and mouth lining because it has no lungs!

Ability

Tail Escape

Northern Two-lined Salamander can drop its tail when grabbed by a predator, distracting the attacker and allowing the salamander to escape.

Ability

Nocturnal Hunter

Northern Two-lined Salamander hunts at night, using its keen senses to find tiny insects and worms when predators are less active.

Ability

Secret Blending

Northern Two-lined Salamander has speckled brown and yellow skin that helps it blend perfectly with rocks and leaves in its streambed home.

Measurements & details

Length
7-12 cm
Weight
0.001-0.003 kg
Lifespan
5-10 years
Clutch Size
10-90
Metamorphosis
365-1095 days

Diet & Feeding

This tiny amphibian loves to snack on small insects, spiders, and other tiny invertebrates found near water!

Age differences: Larvae eat tiny aquatic invertebrates, while adults consume a wider variety of terrestrial and aquatic insects.

Primary Foods

  • mayfly larvae
  • beetles
  • mites
  • spiders
  • small worms

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Large fish often prey on both adult and larval salamanders.

eaten by

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Snakes hunt them near water, especially during warmer months.

hunts

Midge

Chironomus plumosus

Adults and larvae consume the tiny larval stages of midges in streams.

hunts

Caddisfly

Limnephilus rhombicus

Larval salamanders feed on small caddisfly larvae found on streambeds.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

If you find a salamander, remember to look but not touch, so they can stay safe and happy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Northern Two-lined Salamander?

7-12 cm

How much does Northern Two-lined Salamander weigh?

0.001-0.003 kg

How long does Northern Two-lined Salamander live?

5-10 years

What does Northern Two-lined Salamander eat?

This tiny amphibian loves to snack on small insects, spiders, and other tiny invertebrates found near water!

Where is Northern Two-lined Salamander usually found?

Forests

How does Northern Two-lined Salamander hunt?

Foraging

How many eggs does Northern Two-lined Salamander lay?

10-90

How long does Northern Two-lined Salamander take to complete metamorphosis?

365-1095 days

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