northern twolined salamander (Eurycea bislineata)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHARACTERISTICS: This is a small, slender salamander that has a
broad dorsal band that is bright greenish-yellow to orange-yellow, with

small black flecks forming a line down each side. The sides below this

dark stripe are uniformly grayish or mottled. There is a glandular pro-

tuberance on the base of the tail in the adult males. The adult can grow

to lengths of 6.5-12 cm. Breeding occurs in the fall and eggs are aid in

the winter and spring. The eggs are deposited on the undersurfaces of

rocks, logs, usually in running water. The female remains with the eggs

until hatching.

 

DISTRIBUTION: This salamander is found in the northern and north-
western part of Virginia. Adults inhabit margins of small, rocky streams

and seeps, hiding beneath stones and logs. They may also occur in upland

forested habitats. Coastal plain populations are found in bottomland hard-

wood swamps. In breeding season, adults are found in streams beneath

stones or debris. Larvae live in slow-moving pools in streams.

 

FOODS: Larvae forage on the bottom of streams for small aquatic in-

vertebrates, such as insect larvae. Adults and juveniles come out at night

to prey on small invertebrates along streambanks or on the forest floor.

 

 

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