Slimy Salamander Complex

Species in Complex: Tellico salamander (Plethodon aureolus), Chattahoochee slimy salamander (Plethodon chattahoochee), Atlantic coast slimy salamander (Plethodon chlorobryonis), white-spotted slimy salamander (Plethodon cylindraceus), northern slimy salamander (Plethodon glutinosus), southen Appalachian salamander (Plethodon teyahalee)
Photo Credit: Todd Pierson

Slimy salamanders were once considered a single species but are now recognized as a complex of closely related species, six of which found  in North Carolina. They are dark gray to black with variable white or brassy spots and are named for their sticky skin secretions that help deter predators. These fully terrestrial salamanders are most common in moist forest floors but also occur in pine forests, bottomlands, and caves. They feed at night on invertebrates and may occasionally eat smaller salamanders, including their own kind. Eggs are laid on land and guarded by the female, with hatchlings emerging as miniature adults.

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