Scientific Name: Hemidactylium scutatum
Size: 2-3.5 inches (5-10 cm) in length
PA Status: Species of special concern
PAHERP Resource: Have You Seen Me? Four-toed Salamander

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

Larvae
 

Eggs

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
• Joe Wilson
• Don Becker