Dwarf Salamanders

Scientific Name: Eurycea quadridigitata, Eurycea chamberlaini

Listed: State Species of Concern

Photo Credit: Todd Pierson 

Chamberlain’s dwarf salamanders and dwarf salamanders both have four toes on all limbs, unlike most Plethodontid salamanders, which usually have five on the hind limbs. They have brownish-yellow backs with darker sides, but differ in belly color—Chamberlain’s has a bright yellow underside, while the dwarf salamander’s is marked with dark brown spots. These two species live in the Coastal Plain and lower Piedmont of North Carolina, with little range overlap; Chamberlain’s is found mainly in the southeast. Both species feed primarily on small invertebrates.

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