#Desmognathus fluctus skin#

In general, the males and females of this species resemble one another. The sides of the tail are black and there is a lighter grayish brown dorsal band on their bodies. As adults age, the central spots become darker, making these chevrons harder to notice. The dorsal stripe is sometimes marked by rows of dark chevron-like spots. This stripe can be yellow, orange, olive, gray, brown or red, and is flanked by darker pigmentation that is mottled and fade into the lightly pigmented belly. Both adults and juveniles have a straight light-colored stripe down the back and tail. In many, a light line extends from the eye to the bottom of the jaw. Most adults are plainly colored but others are brightly colored.

#Desmognathus fluctus skin#

The eyelids fit under a fold of skin behind the eyes. The salamanders of this species have long slender bodies and tapered tails. If you were to look for Desmognathus ochrophaeus, you would most likely find it near wet rock faces, springs, woodlands, seepage areas and streams, and under stones, logs and leaves where the ground is wet (Amphibians of Canada 2000).ĭesmognathus ochrophaeus have moderately long, well-developed legs and come in a variety of colors, markings, and body proportions. This biome consists of deciduous trees and widely varying temperatures (-30 degrees Celsius in the winter to +30 degrees Celsius in the summer.) Precipitation in this biome is relatively high and evenly distributed throughout the year. There is a small population in extreme southeastern Quebec, Canada, in the foothills of the Adirondacks, and a few isolated populations in northeast Kentucky and west-central Georgia (Conant and Collins 1998).Īdult Desmognathus ochrophaeus tend to be relatively stationary and stays within a 1 meter radius in the temperate forest biome. N.The Mountain Dusky Salamander, Desmognathus ochrophaeus, can be found in the forested foothills and peaks of the Adirondack and Applachian Mountains of the United States.Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum).Common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis).Eastern Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus).Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata).Eastern Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis).

Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos).

Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus).

North American Racer (Coluber constrictor).

Common Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus).

Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii).

Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina).

Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus).

Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica).

Species summary written by Kaile Burgess.

Desmognathus fuscus at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History website.

Desmognathus fuscus at the CARCNET website.

Desmognathus fuscus at Animal Diversity website.

Photographs are always helpful, particularly if your report is the first report of this species from a town. Any natural history observations (feeding, migrations, road crossing areas, early or late season appearance, abnormalities, etc.) are appreciated. Please report sightings of this species in Vermont if you have not reported them within the last five years from a given location.

The Northern Dusky Salamander has a state natural heritage rank of S5 (common). Northern Dusky Salamanders are found statewide, but less often in the Northeast Kingdom. They do not travel very far from their streams and seeps. The Northern Dusky is found in saturated soil near streams or in seepages in forested areas. They lay their eggs under moss, and the females remain with the eggs until they hatch. Their back legs are larger and stronger then their front legs, and their tail is partially keeled. White lines outlined in black start at the eye and angle down to their jaw. The Northern Dusky Salamander is a grayish-brown salamander that is noticably chunkier than the Northern Two-lined Salamander.