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Southern Two-lined Salamander

Eurycea cirrigera

The Southern Two-lined Salamander is a small, slimy creature that loves to hide under rocks and logs. It has beautiful yellow stripes running down its back, making it look very special in its forest home.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Southern Two-lined Salamander is a slender amphibian, typically yellow-brown to orange with two prominent dark stripes running from its eyes down its sides to its tail. Its back is often dotted with tiny black spots, making it distinct from solid-colored stream salamanders.

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

Category

Amphibians

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Baby salamanders hatch with feathery gills and live underwater for many months!

Some male salamanders have special whisker-like 'cirri' under their nostrils!

They can grow back lost limbs, tails, and even parts of their eyes!

They lay their tiny eggs under rocks or logs in streams, carefully guarding them!

Special abilities

Ability

Skin Breathing Superpower

Southern Two-lined Salamander can absorb oxygen directly through its moist skin because it lacks lungs, which helps them breathe underwater and on land.

Ability

Escape Artist Tail

Southern Two-lined Salamander can shed its tail when grabbed by a predator because the wriggling tail distracts the attacker, allowing the salamander to escape.

Ability

Forest Floor Cloak

Southern Two-lined Salamander has coloration that blends perfectly with wet leaves and rocks, which helps them hide from both predators and prey.

Ability

Watery Childhood

Southern Two-lined Salamander spends its early life as gilled larvae in streams, which allows them to develop in a safe, aquatic environment.

Measurements & details

Length
6-12 cm
Weight
0.003-0.015 kg
Lifespan
3-7 years
Top Speed
1.5 km/h
Clutch Size
10-50
Metamorphosis
180-300 days

Diet & Feeding

This salamander eats tiny insects and other small invertebrates it finds in damp places.

Age differences: Young larvae eat small aquatic invertebrates like copepods and insect larvae, while adults eat terrestrial prey.

Primary Foods

  • Small insects
  • Mites
  • Springtails
  • Worms
  • Larvae

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Snakes hunt them near water.

eaten by

Raccoon

Procyon lotor

Raccoons search stream beds for them.

eats

Springtail

Isotoma viridis

They hunt tiny springtails among damp leaves.

eats

Silky Ant

Formica fusca

They snatch up ants from the forest floor.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

If you find a salamander, look but don’t touch! They need to stay safe in their homes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Southern Two-lined Salamander?

6-12 cm

How much does Southern Two-lined Salamander weigh?

0.003-0.015 kg

How long does Southern Two-lined Salamander live?

3-7 years

How fast can Southern Two-lined Salamander move?

1.5 km/h

What does Southern Two-lined Salamander eat?

This salamander eats tiny insects and other small invertebrates it finds in damp places.

Where is Southern Two-lined Salamander usually found?

Forests

How does Southern Two-lined Salamander hunt?

Foraging

How many eggs does Southern Two-lined Salamander lay?

10-50

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