Weller's Salamander

Scientific Name: Plethodon welleri

Listed:  State Species of Special Concern.

Photo Credit: Todd Pierson 

Weller’s salamander is easily recognized by its black body covered in brassy blotches, though hatchlings may lack this coloration at first. In North Carolina, it is found only in a tiny area of high-elevation spruce-fir forests, where individuals shelter under logs, rocks, and leaf litter. Listed as a Species of Special Concern, this rare salamander emerges on wet nights to feed on a variety of invertebrates. Eggs are likely laid in summer, with females guarding them until hatchlings emerge as miniature adults. Weller’s salamanders also produce sticky, noxious secretions to ward off predators.

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