Eastern Mud Salamander

Scientific Name: Pseudotriton m. montanus
Size: 3-7.7 inches (7.5-19.5 cm) in length
Status: Endangered Species *likely Extirpated

Habitat:
Muddy floodplain streams, muddy seeps and springs, and streams that run though swamps.

Description:
Moderate to large species. The color varies with the age of the individuals. The background color of juveniles and young adults is bright red, orangish brown to bright crimson with scattered black to brown spots. Older adults the background color becomes suffused with brown and gives the color a muddy red appearance and is scattered with black to brown spots. The underside of the throat, belly and appendages is orange with a tinge of red. Younger individuals the ventral is immaculate. The ventral of older adults may have scattered black flecks. The eyes are brown. The tail is short and circular in the cross-section at the base and becomes laterally compressed and keeled distally.

Adult Coloration:
  • The color varies with the age of the individuals.
  • The dorsal background color of juveniles and young adults is bright red, orangish brown to bright crimson with scattered black to brown spots. Older adults the background color becomes suffused with brown and gives the color a muddy red appearance and is scattered with black to brown spots.
  • The ventral surfaces of the throat, belly and appendages is orange with a tinge of red. Younger individuals the ventral is immaculate. The ventral of older adults may have scattered black flecks.
  • The eyes are brown.
Adult Characteristics:
  • Moderate to large species.
  • The body is stout.
  • The limbs are well-developed.
  • The tail is short and circular in the cross-section at the base and becomes laterally compressed and keeled distally.
  • 17 costal grooves.
Larvae Characteristics:
  • Stream-Type
  • The dorsal is light brown.
  • The ventral is immaculate.
  • Older larvae have dark, widely scattered spots similar to young adults.
Range:

Adult Gallery:

May be Confused With:

Northern Red Salamander

Red-spotted Newt
References:
  • Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 119-121pp.
  • Petranka, James W. ,1998. Salamanders of the United States and Canada. 295-298pp.
Credits:
  • Carl Brune
  • Tom Diez

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