Red-Backed Salamander

Scientific Name: Plethodon cinereus
Photo Credit: Todd Pierson 

The southern red-backed salamander occurs in two color forms, one with a red or orange stripe along its back and another that is uniformly dark grey to brown without a stripe. It is common in forested areas of northwestern North Carolina, the central Piedmont, and the Coastal Plain, where it hides under logs, rocks, and leaf litter. This terrestrial species feeds on small invertebrates and occasionally cannibalizes eggs or young salamanders. Although often abundant, most of the population remains underground, and surface-active individuals represent only a small fraction.

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