A medium-sized black salamander with scattered silver-white spotting. Named for the gluey skin secretions that adhere to predator mouths and hands — among the most defensively chemical-rich amphibians.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The northern slimy salamander is a species of terrestrial plethodontid salamander found throughout much of the eastern two-thirds of the United States.
Source: Wikipedia — Northern slimy salamander Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Medium-sized slender black salamander with conspicuous scattered silver or white spots; light gray belly; tail nearly as long as body.
Similar species. Other Plethodon species (different ranges/patterns). White-spotted Slimy Salamander (in eastern range, very similar; DNA needed for reliable separation).
Voice. Silent.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Small invertebrates: ants, beetles, mites, spiders, slugs.
Behavior. Lungless salamander; respires entirely through skin and mouth lining. Lives in moist forest leaf litter, under logs and rocks, and in damp burrows. Defensive skin secretion (the "slime") is among the most adhesive substances produced by any animal — extremely difficult to remove once it contacts skin or fur, gluing predator mouthparts shut and providing very effective deterrence against snakes, shrews, and small birds.
§ Range
Eastern US
§ Habitat
Mature deciduous forests with abundant leaf litter and rock cover
§ Threats
Forest fragmentation, climate-driven moisture shifts, deer overbrowsing reducing leaf litter.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the northern slimy salamander is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Maintain forest leaf litter. Don't over-tidy forest floors. Support mature forest protection.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Northern slimy salamander
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Plethodon glutinosus
- IUCN Red List · taxon 59324
- iNaturalist · taxon 27543
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Plethodon glutinosus
§ Sources cited
- AmphibiaWeb
- USGS PWRC
- Davidson College Herpetology
- IUCN Red List 2014
