Northern Red Salamander

Scientific Name: Pseudotriton r. ruber
Size: 4-6 inches (10-15.5 cm) in length
Status: Abundant

Habitat:
Clear, cool streams, springs, to creeks that are fairly shallow with rock-strewn bottoms throughout forested regions and flatlands, swampy areas and marshy regions.

Description:
Moderately large and stout species. The color and pattern vary with age. The top and sides of the body vary from bright crimson or coral red to purplish brown with heavy marked with irregular rounded black spots. Older adults can be orangish to purplish brown with enlarged and fused spots that may be less distinct as an individual ages giving it a murky purplish brown color. The chin may have black flecking at the margin. The underside varies from pinkish to red and contains scattered black spots that may be absent in younger adults. The distal half of the tail spotting may also occur. Pupils of the eye is yellow. The tail is laterally compressed with a distinct dorsal keel.

Adult Coloration:
  • The color and pattern vary with age.
  • The dorsum and sides of the body vary from bright crimson or coral red to purplish brown with heavy marked with irregular rounded black spots.
  • Older adults dorsal color maybe orangish to purplish brown with enlarged and fused spots that may be less distinct as an individual ages giving it a murky purplish brown color.
  • The chin may have black flecking at the margin.
  • The ventral color varies from pinkish to red and contains scattered black spots that may be absent in younger adults.
  • The distal half of the tail spotting may also occur.
  • Pupils of the eye is yellow.
Adult Characteristics:
  • Moderately large and stout species.
  • The body is stout.
  • The limbs are small and well-developed.
  • The tail is laterally compressed with a distinct dorsal keel.
  • The head is moderately large and slightly distinct from the body.
  • 16-17 costal grooves.
Juvenile Characteristics:
  • The dorsal color is bright red.
  • The ventral spots may be absent
Larvae Characteristics:
  • Stream-Type
  • The ground color is brownish to brownish red with dark mottling.
  • The dorsal is weakly mottles or streaked.
  • Stream-Type
  • The body is light brown above and all white below.
Range:

Juvenile Gallery:

Larvae Gallery:

May be Confused With:
References:
  • Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 121-124pp.
  • Petranka, James W. ,1998. Salamanders of the United States and Canada. 299-306pp.
Credits:
  • Billy Brown
  • Jason Poston
  • Bob Hamilton
  • Jeff Hankey
  • Tom Diez
  • Kyle Loucks
  • Matthew Middleton
  • Andrew Hoffman
  • Kelsey Frey
  • Ed Patterson

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