Northern Redback Salamander

Scientific Name: Plethodon cinereus
Size: 2.2 to 5.0 inches (5.7-12.7 cm) in length
PA Status: Abundant

Habitat Type:
Deciduous, mixed hardwood-conifer, and coniferous forest.

Colorations:

  • There are two common color morphs that occur with in most populations.

    • Striped Morph (red-backed)

  • The dorsal has a broad straight ridged middorsal stripe that extends from the head and onto the tail. The middorsal stripe ranges from red, orangish red, light tan, beige, cream to grey; and is bordered on each side by a black stripe that is mottled with white on the lower half of the sides.
  • Black spots may occur wit in the middorsal stripe.
  • The ventral is strongly mottled with black and white; giving the belly a salt and pepper look.

    • Unstriped Morph (lead-backed)

  • The middorsal strip is absent.
  • The dorsal is uniform dark greyish black to black and often has white to brassy flecks.
  • The ventral is strongly mottled with black and white; giving the belly a salt and pepper look.

    • The Red Morph (erythristic)

  • This is a less common morph.
  • The dorsal, sides and legs are bright red and the color extends on to the belly.

Characteristics:

  • Small and relatively slender species.
  • The legs are small.
  • The body is somewhat rounded.
  • The head is slightly distinct from the body.
  • The snout is short and truncated.
  • The tail is as long as the body, thick and rapidly tapes to a point.
  • 18-20 costal grooves.

Juvenile coloration and characteristics:

  • Similar to adults.

Confused with:

  • Northern Slimy Salamander
  • Valley and Ridge Salamander
  • Ravine Salamander

Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults
Redback Salamander - Striped Morph - By:Bob Hamilton Redback Salamander - Striped Morph - By:Kyle Loucks Redback Salamander - Striped Morph - By:Kyle Loucks
Redback Salamander - Striped Morph (cream) - By:Jason Poston Redback Salamander - Striped Morph - By:Jason Poston Redback Salamander - Striped Morph - By:Jason Poston
Redback Salamander - Striped Morph - By:Jason Poston Redback Salamander - Unstriped Morph - By:Jason Poston Redback Salamander - Unstriped Morph - By:Jason Poston
Redback Salamander - Unstriped Morph - By:Jason Poston Redback Salamander - Unstriped Morph - By:Jason Poston Redback Salamander - Unstriped Morph - By:Jason Poston
Redback Salamander - Striped Morph - By:Kyle Loucks Redback Salamander - Striped Morph - By:Kyle Loucks Redback Salamander - Striped Morph - By:Kyle Loucks
Redback Salamander - Striped Morph - By:Bob Hamilton Redback Salamander - Striped Morph - By:Bob Hamilton Redback Salamander - Striped Morph & Unstriped Morph - By:Kyle Loucks
Redback Salamander - Striped Morph - By:Kyle Loucks Redback Salamander - Unstriped Morph - By:Kyle Loucks Redback Salamander - Striped Morph & Unstriped Morph - By:Tom Diez
Redback Salamander - Unstriped Morph - By:Tom Diez Redback Salamander - Striped Morph (Sliver) - By:Tom Diez Redback Salamander - Erythristic - By:Tom Diez
Redback Salamander - Erythristic - By:Tom Diez Redback Salamander - Erythristic - By:Tom Diez

Juveniles
Redback Salamander - Striped Morph - By:Wayne Fidler Redback Salamander - Striped Morph - By:Jason Poston

Range Map:

References:

  • Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 101-106pp.
  • Petranka, James W. ,1998. Salamanders of the United States and Canada. 335-346pp.

Photo Credits:

  • Tom Diez
  • Kyle Loucks
  • Bob Hamilton
  • Wayne Fidler
  • Jason Poston