Scientific Name: Hemidactylium scutatum
Size: 2-3.5 inches (5-10 cm) in length
PA Status: Species of special concern
Habitat Type:
Hardwood-conifer or mixed forest with bogs, marshes, woodland ponds, open meadows, or dry wooded hillsides.
Colorations:
- The dorsal color of the head and body is reddish brown and mottled with black markings along the back that extend onto the dorsal of the tail.
- The upper surfaces of the limbs and tail are bright reddish orange. The limbs have brown maculatoins.
- The sides laterally become grey.
- The ventral is white with scattered irregular bold black blotches or spots.
Characteristics:
- Moderately slender species.
- The legs are long and slender.
- The feet have four toes.
- The body is cylindrical.
- The head is somewhat flat.
- The tail is moderately long, oval in the cross-section with constriction around the base.
- 13-14 costal grooves.
Hatchlings coloration and characteristics:
- Resemble adults but they have a shorter tails.
Larvae coloration and characteristics:
- Pond-type.
- Well-developed gills and feathery.
- The body is triangular in the cross-section.
- The dorsal is brownish grey and mottled with yellowish green.
- The ventral is immaculate.
- The body is slender.
- The eyes are prominent.
- The dorsal fin extends nearly to the head dorsally and ventrally to the cloaca.
- The head is broad and short.
Hatchlings coloration and characteristics:
- The front limbs are developed with four toes on each foot. The rear limbs only have toe buds.
Confused with:
- None
Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults
Range Map:
References:
- Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 96-100pp.
- Petranka, James W. ,1998. Salamanders of the United States and Canada. 290-295pp.
Photo Credits:
- Dave Emma
- Bob Hamilton
- Tom Diez