A slim yellow-tan salamander with two black stripes running the length of its body. They're among the most abundant stream-edge amphibians in eastern forests — a key prey species for trout, snakes, and birds.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The northern two-lined salamander is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae found in Canada and the United States. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate shrubland, rivers, intermittent rivers, freshwater marshes, freshwater springs, arable land, and urban areas. It is more water-oriented than the related northern redback salamander, and can often be found in and around water such as rain puddles, streams, swamps, and damp stream beds, whereas the northern redback tends to be found in damp ground, but usually not near open water.
Source: Wikipedia — Northern two-lined salamander Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Small slim salamander; tan to yellow-brown back; two prominent dark dorsolateral stripes; pale belly.
Similar species. Other Eurycea two-lined salamanders (different ranges).
Voice. Silent.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Small invertebrates.
Behavior. Common Appalachian stream salamander. Two distinct dark stripes down back are diagnostic.
§ Range
Northeastern North America
§ Habitat
Cool clear streams, springs, seeps
§ Threats
Stream pollution, sediment from construction, climate warming, road salt drift.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the northern two-lined salamander is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Maintain stream buffers. Reduce sediment runoff. Support clean water rules.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Northern two-lined salamander
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Eurycea bislineata
- IUCN Red List · taxon 59279
- iNaturalist · taxon 27548
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Eurycea bislineata
§ Sources cited
- AmphibiaWeb
- Davidson College Herpetology Lab
- IUCN Red List 2014
