Cheoah Bald and Red-Legged Salamanders

Scientific Name(s): Plethodon cheoah, Plethodon shermani
Description:  These two species were formerly considered subspecies of the Jordan’s salamander (Plethodon jordani). 
Photo Credit: Todd Pierson

Both species feature dark grey bodies with lighter grey patches on their cheeks and can be recognized by their distinctive red legs. Their distribution is relatively limited to the southwestern region of North Carolina. The Cheoah Bald salamander is found exclusively at high elevations on a single mountain within the state. Similarly, Red-legged salamanders primarily inhabit high elevations, with their North Carolina range confined to the Unicoi and Nantahala Mountains. Both species tend to be located beneath cover objects in elevated forest areas. It is likely that they have a diverse diet consisting of various small invertebrates found on the forest floor.

Explore the full species profile, including their habitat, diet, and behavior on Herps of NC.