Northern Two-Lined Salamander

Scientific Name: Eurycea bislineata
Size: 2.5-4.75 inches (6.4-12.1 cm) in length

Habitat Type:
Stream side along small to medium sized streams, springs, and hillside seeps with sandy to gravel substrate and rock or log cover.

Colorations:

  • The dorsal background coot is greenish to yellowish brown with a dark brown to black dorsolateral stripe on each side of the body extending from the posterior margin of the eye to the base of the tail.
  • The vertebral band between the dorsolateral strips has a series of small brown or black spots that vary in number and position. They can be random or form a medial broken stripe.
  • The sides below the dorsolateral stripes are maculated with small irregular black spots that also occur on the sides of the tail and dorsal surface of the limbs.
  • The ventral surfaces are pale to yellow.

Characteristics:

  • The legs are well-developed
  • The tail is laterally compressed with a moderately developed keel.
  • The head is short and slender with a rounded snout.
  • 13-16 costal grooves

Larvae coloration and characteristics:

  • The dorsal is dusky colored with 6-9 pairs of light dorsolateral spots.
  • Stream-type.
  • The gills are small and moderately branched.
  • The body is elongate and slender.
  • The limbs are well-developed.
  • The caudal fin is moderate.

Hatchlings and Larvae coloration and characteristics:

  • The dorsal background color is yellowish green with a brownish net lick pattern.
  • The ventral is whitish yellow.

Confused with:

  • Mountain Dusky Salamander

Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults
Northern Two-Lined Salamander - By: Jason Poston Northern Two-Lined Salamander - By: Jason Poston Northern Two-Lined Salamander - By: Jason Poston
Northern Two-Lined Salamander - By: Jason Poston Northern Two-Lined Salamander - By: Jason Poston Northern Two-Lined Salamander - By: Jason Poston
Northern Two-Lined Salamander - By: Jason Poston Northern Two-Lined Salamander - By: Jason Poston Northern Two-Lined Salamander - By: Jason Poston
Northern Two-Lined Salamander - By: Jason Poston Northern Two-Lined Salamander - By: Jason Poston Northern Two-Lined Salamander - By: John Smith
Northern Two-Lined Salamander - By: Billy Brown Northern Two-Lined Salamander - By: Billy Brown
Larvae
Two-Lined Salamander - Larvae - By: Tom Diez
Two-Lined Salamander - Larvae - By: Tom Diez Two-Lined Salamander - Larvae - By: Tom Diez

Range Map:

References:

  • Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 86-88pp.
  • Petranka, James W. ,1998. Salamanders of the United States and Canada. 241-248pp.

Photo Credits:

  • Jason Poston
  • John Smith
  • Billy Brown
  • Tom Diez