Species Information
Recognized Subspecies in VA: None
Size: 2 - 4 inches Range: Statewide minus the Cumberland Plateau, though seemingly quite rare in the southern Piedmont Status: Least Concern The Eastern Red-backed Salamander is considered the most abundant terrestrial vertebrate in Virginia. This means if one searches in good habitat, then they should find many. This species is highly variable, and often misidentified as other salamanders species. This species has several sister species that patrol only a small area, and can likely only do so because the Red-back does not thrive at very high altitudes. Red-backs get their name from their very common “Red-backed” phase, though have other notable phases. “Lead-backs” are very common, which is a phase that lacks the dorsal stripe all together. There are also “Gold-backs”, with a yellow-gold stripe, and “Ivory-backs” with white stripes. All of these small Plethodons have salt-n-pepper flanks and venters and a coastal grove count of 18-20. Similar Species: Several small Plethodon species across the state look similar Eastern Red-backed Salamanders. There are too many to go through great detail here, but all of these species will have more discriminatory information on their own pages, but I will attempt a “lightning round” approach below. Northern Zigzag Salamander: Red patch on shoulder Big Levels Salamander: Tiny range; the two exclude one another Peaks of Otter Salamander: Dramatic gold flecking; black flanks and belly Ravine Salamander: Costal groove count is normally 20-23; the two usually exclude one another Valley and Ridge Salamander: Costal groove count is normally 21 Shenandoah Mountain Salamander: Costal groove count is normally 20-23; tiny range Shenandoah Salamander: More similar to a Wehrle’s in body shape; dark belly; thin dorsal stripe White-spotted Slimy: Only the juveniles are similar, which as juveniles they have a disproportionately large head Northern Gray-cheeked Salamander: Larger; no salt-n-pepper flanks or belly Four-toed Salamander: Belly is white with large black spots Maps and External Sources
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