Photo by Kristen Cecala

Description:  The back of the Yonahlossee salamander has a black base color and is covered by reddish-brown to red blotches.  In older individuals, the reddish blotches come together to form a wide band down the back.  In the southern part of their range in North Carolina, these salamanders tend to have scattered reddish blotches on the back that do not form a connected band in adults.  The sides of the body are covered with grey to white blotching.

Habitat/Range:  The Yonahlossee salamander is found across a wide range in the mountains of North Carolina.  These terrestrial salamanders are found in deciduous forests at high elevations and are most active at night.  During the day, they often take cover under rocks and logs or in burrows on the forest floor.  At lower elevations in the southern-most part of their range, Yonahlossee salamanders are often found in rock crevices.  This crevice-dwelling form is sometimes recognized as a separate species, Plethodon longicrus.

Diet:  Yonahlossee salamanders emerge at night, especially under wet conditions, to forage for a wide variety of invertebrates.

Reproduction:  Little is known about reproduction in this species but these salamanders are thought to deposit eggs in underground cavities and guard them until they hatch.  Yonahlossee salamander hatchlings do not go through an aquatic larval stage.  Instead, when young salamanders emerge from their eggs they look like miniature adults.

Miscellaneous:  Yonahlossee salamanders can release a noxious, sticky substance from their tails in order to deter predators.  The crevice dwelling form of this salamander, Plethodon longicrus, is listed as a Species of Special Concern by the state of North Carolina.

Photo by J Petranka

Photo by D Dennis

Photo by D Dennis