Ozark Zigzag Salamander
ExploreAmphibians
Ozark Zigzag Salamander
Plethodon angusticlavius
The Ozark Zigzag Salamander is a small, colorful creature that loves to hide under rocks and logs in the forest. With its zigzag patterns, it's like nature's little artist!
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Ozark Zigzag Salamander is a small, slender amphibian with a dark body. It has a distinctive reddish-orange to yellow-orange wavy or zigzag stripe running down its back from head to tail. Its belly is typically a uniform dark color.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderCaudataFamilyPlethodontidaeGenusPlethodon
Category
AmphibiansRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Female zigzag salamanders often guard their precious eggs until they hatch!
Instead of tadpoles, baby Ozark Zigzag Salamanders hatch looking like mini-adults!
These salamanders are like tiny living thermometers for forest health!
They spend most of their lives hidden under rocks, logs, and moist leaves.
Special abilities
Ability
Camouflage Master
Ozark Zigzag Salamander has a zigzag stripe that helps it blend perfectly with fallen leaves and forest debris.
Ability
Tail Escape
Ozark Zigzag Salamander can drop its tail if a predator grabs it, allowing the salamander to get away safely.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 6.5-11 cm
- Weight
- 0.002-0.005 kg
- Lifespan
- 5-8 years
- Top Speed
- 0.2 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 3-13
Diet & Feeding
This tiny hunter dines on a variety of small, soft-bodied invertebrates in the forest.
Primary Foods
- Springtails
- Mites
- Ants
- Small beetles
- Slugs
- Earthworms
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Ringneck Snake
Diadophis punctatus
A common predator that hunts these small salamanders.
eaten by
Southeastern Shrew
Sorex longirostris
Small mammals like shrews sometimes prey on them.
eats
Common Black Ground Beetle
Pterostichus melanarius
Feeds on smaller invertebrates found in leaf litter.
eats
Leopard Slug
Limax maximus
Consumes these slow-moving mollusks in their habitat.
Traits
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch where you step in the forest, and be gentle if you find a salamander!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Ozark Zigzag Salamander?
6.5-11 cm
How much does Ozark Zigzag Salamander weigh?
0.002-0.005 kg
How long does Ozark Zigzag Salamander live?
5-8 years
How fast can Ozark Zigzag Salamander move?
0.2 km/h
What does Ozark Zigzag Salamander eat?
This tiny hunter dines on a variety of small, soft-bodied invertebrates in the forest.
Where is Ozark Zigzag Salamander usually found?
Forests
How does Ozark Zigzag Salamander hunt?
Foraging
How many eggs does Ozark Zigzag Salamander lay?
3-13
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