# Western Slimy Salamander (*Plethodon albagula*) The Western Slimy Salamander is a small, shiny creature that loves to hide under rocks and logs. It has a smooth, dark body with bright yellow or white spots that make it look special! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Western Slimy Salamander](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Plethodon_albagula%252C_St._Louis_County%252C_Missouri.jpg&width=800) Photo: Peter Paplanus, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plethodon_albagula%252C_St._Louis_County%252C_Missouri.jpg) ## Appearance The Western Slimy Salamander is a medium-sized amphibian with a glossy, charcoal-black body densely covered in bright white or silvery-white flecks, giving it a 'starry night' appearance. Its belly is typically dark, contrasting with the spotted back. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Plethodontidae - **Genus:** Plethodon ## Interesting facts - Mother salamanders are super protective, guarding their eggs until they hatch! - These sneaky hunters come out mostly at night to find their buggy meals! - They can grow back a lost tail or even a limb if a predator grabs them! - They prefer to live entirely on land, never needing to return to water as adults! ## Special abilities - **Slime Shield:** Western Slimy Salamander can produce super sticky, noxious slime that helps them deter predators by making them hard to hold and unpleasant to eat. - **Skin Breather:** Western Slimy Salamander has no lungs, breathing entirely through its skin and lining of its mouth, which helps them absorb oxygen in damp places. - **Tongue Trapper:** Western Slimy Salamander can shoot its super-fast, sticky tongue out to snatch unsuspecting insects, helping them catch quick prey effectively. - **Direct Developer:** Western Slimy Salamander has direct development, meaning its eggs hatch into tiny adults, skipping the typical tadpole stage and aquatic life. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-18 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.015 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 0.1 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 8-20 ## Diet & Feeding Tiny insects, spiders, and worms are what this salamander loves to munch on. - **Primary Foods:** Ants, Beetles, Spiders, Springtails, Mites, Earthworms - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Silky Ant (*Formica fusca*) — A common ant species often found in its diet. - **Eats:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — They forage on the forest floor for these wriggly worms. - **Eaten by:** Dekay's Brown Snake (*Storeria dekayi*) — A common forest snake that preys on small amphibians. - **Eaten by:** Virginia Opossum (*Didelphis virginiana*) — Opportunistic mammal predator in the salamander's range. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [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 Always watch where you step in the forest, and be gentle if you see a salamander! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Western Slimy 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 Western Slimy Salamander? 10-18 cm ### How much does Western Slimy Salamander weigh? 0.005-0.015 kg ### How long does Western Slimy Salamander live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Western Slimy Salamander move? 0.1 km/h ### What does Western Slimy Salamander eat? Tiny insects, spiders, and worms are what this salamander loves to munch on. ### Where is Western Slimy Salamander usually found? Forests ### How does Western Slimy Salamander hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Eureka Springs Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/eureka-springs-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Garvan Woodland Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/garvan-woodland-gardens) — Arkansas, US · Botanical Garden ## 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: [Western Slimy Salamander: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-slimy-salamander)