# Ravine Salamander (*Plethodon richmondi*) The Ravine Salamander is a small, colorful creature that loves to hide under rocks and leaves. It has smooth skin and can be found in cool, moist places. These little salamanders are fun to spot in the wild! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Ravine Salamander](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Plethodon_richmondi.jpg&width=800) Photo: Brian Gratwicke, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plethodon_richmondi.jpg) ## Appearance The Ravine Salamander is a slender, dark-bodied amphibian, typically black or dark brown. It has two narrow, often gray or bronze, parallel stripes running down its back. Its tiny limbs and long tail differentiate it from many other salamanders. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Plethodontidae - **Genus:** Plethodon ## Interesting facts - Ravine salamanders are completely terrestrial; they never enter water, even to lay their eggs! - Ravine salamanders can live for over 10 years, a long time for a tiny, lungless amphibian! - These shy creatures are nocturnal, meaning they are most active exploring under moonlight! - They are part of a special group of salamanders that don't have lungs at all! ## Special abilities - **Lungless Wonder:** Ravine Salamander can breathe entirely through its moist skin and mouth lining, allowing it to thrive in damp, low-oxygen spots. - **Tail Escape Artist:** Ravine Salamander can shed its tail when grabbed by a predator, giving it a chance to escape to safety while the tail wiggles. - **Sticky Skin Shield:** Ravine Salamander has glands that secrete a sticky, mild toxin, making them unpleasant for predators to try and eat. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 8-12 cm - **Weight:** 0.002-0.005 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-17 ## Diet & Feeding They munch on tiny insects and other small creepy crawlies found hidden in damp soil and leaf litter. - **Primary Foods:** Springtails, Mites, Small beetles, Ants, Insect larvae, Tiny worms - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Ring-necked Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ring-necked-snake) (*Diadophis punctatus*) — A common predator in their woodland habitat. - **Eaten by:** Masked Shrew (*Sorex cinereus*) — Shrews are opportunistic predators of small amphibians. - **Eats:** Banded Springtail (*Orchesella cincta*) — A tiny insect they forage for in leaf litter. - **Eats:** Rove Beetle (*Staphylinus erythropterus*) — Larvae and adults of small beetles are part of their diet. ## 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. - [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. - [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 see a salamander, be gentle and don’t pick it up too much. They are delicate creatures! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Ravine 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 Ravine Salamander? 8-12 cm ### How much does Ravine Salamander weigh? 0.002-0.005 kg ### How long does Ravine Salamander live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Ravine Salamander move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Ravine Salamander eat? They munch on tiny insects and other small creepy crawlies found hidden in damp soil and leaf litter. ### Where is Ravine Salamander usually found? Forests ### How does Ravine 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*) --- Source: [Ravine Salamander: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ravine-salamander)