Family: Plethodontidae, Lungless Salamanders view all from this family

Description 2 1/2-5" (6.4-12.7 cm). Long and slender. Two color phases: "red-backed" has broad, straight-edged, dark bordered red stripe extending along back from head onto tail and narrowing at base of tail. Stripe may be yellow, orange, pink, or gray. "Lead-backed" is light gray to almost black, without stripe. Intermediates are occasionally found. Belly has black and white mottling. Costal grooves, usually 19.

Breeding Courts and mates October to April. In June or July suspends a grapelike cluster of about 6-12 eggs from roof of small cavity under stone or within rotten log. Female coils about and attends eggs until they hatch 2 months later. Larvae hatch at 7/8" (22 mm); omit aquatic stage; mature in 2 years. Females lay eggs every other year.

Habitat Cool moist coniferous, mixed, and hardwood forests; sea level to 5,600' (1,707 m).

Range W. Ontario to s. Quebec and Newfoundland, south to North Carolina and s. Indiana.

Discussion Completely terrestrial. Most abundant and commonly encountered salamander throughout much of its range. Because of its ability to tolerate cold the Red-backed has survived in glaciated areas of northeast United States and southeast Canada. During the day it hides under stones or woodland debris. At night it searches amid moist leaf litter for tiny invertebrates. During warm spells in winter it may be found at the surface. In dry weather it retreats underground and only surfaces after rainstorms.