# Northern Zigzag Salamander (*Plethodon dorsalis*) The Northern Zigzag Salamander is a small, colorful creature that loves to hide under rocks and leaves. It has a unique zigzag pattern on its back that helps it blend in with its forest home. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Northern Zigzag Salamander](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Plethodon_dorsalis.jpg&width=800) Photo: GregTheBusker, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plethodon_dorsalis.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern Zigzag Salamander is a small, slender amphibian with a distinctive red, orange, or yellow "zigzag" stripe running down its back. This wavy stripe contrasts sharply with its dark brown to black body, making it look like a tiny lightning bolt. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Plethodontidae - **Genus:** Plethodon ## Interesting facts - Some can go months without food by slowing their metabolism! - These salamanders never drink water; they absorb it through their skin! - They don't have lungs, relying entirely on their damp skin to breathe! - They lay eggs underground and guard them until they hatch! ## Special abilities - **Tail Dropper:** Northern Zigzag Salamander can detach its tail to escape predators, which then wiggles to distract attackers while the salamander slips away to safety. - **Forest Camouflage:** Northern Zigzag Salamander has a cryptic zigzag pattern that helps them blend perfectly with leaf litter and moss, making it hard for predators to spot them. - **Mild Defense:** Northern Zigzag Salamander has slightly noxious skin secretions that can deter some predators, helping them avoid being eaten. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 7-10 cm - **Weight:** 0.002-0.005 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 0.2 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-20 ## Diet & Feeding Tiny salamanders munch on small insects and other invertebrates they find in the forest. - **Primary Foods:** Ants, Mites, Springtails, Small beetles, Isopods, Larvae - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Silky Ant (*Formica fusca*) — A common prey item in their forest habitat. - **Eats:** Common Striped Woodlouse (*Porcellionides pruinosus*) — Feeds on these small crustaceans in damp areas. - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — A primary predator in their natural environment. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Opportunistic predator that may find salamanders. ## 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. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [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. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a salamander, watch it from a distance and don't touch it. They are delicate and need to stay safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern Zigzag 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 Zigzag Salamander? 7-10 cm ### How much does Northern Zigzag Salamander weigh? 0.002-0.005 kg ### How long does Northern Zigzag Salamander live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Northern Zigzag Salamander move? 0.2 km/h ### What does Northern Zigzag Salamander eat? Tiny salamanders munch on small insects and other invertebrates they find in the forest. ### Where is Northern Zigzag Salamander usually found? Forests ### How does Northern Zigzag Salamander hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Kentucky Down Under](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kentucky-down-under) — Kentucky, US · Zoo - [Jackson–Washington State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jackson-washington-state-forest) — Indiana, US · Forest - [Madison Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/madison-historic-district) — Indiana, US · Historic District - [Cherokee Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cherokee-park) — Kentucky, US · Park [View all places to see Northern Zigzag Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-zigzag-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 Zigzag Salamander: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-zigzag-salamander)