Longtail Salamander
Eurcyea l. longicauda
Description
A medium slender yellow to orange salamander with black spots or mottling. Limbs are long and mottled or lightly speckled. 13 - 14 costal grooves on sides. Black mottling occurs throughout body but more concentrated on sides. Tail is compressed vertically and has uniform vertical black bars to the tip. Belly is light. Larvae are slim, dark, 4 limbs, and short external gills. May be confused with the cave salamander.
Stats
Size
4 – 6 inches
Status
Common
Similar Species
Cave salamander (no vertical bars on tail)
Diet
Arthropods and invertebrates.
Habitat
Rocky, clean brooks (similar to that of the two-lined salamander). Preferred habitat has cool, shaded water associated with seepages and springs.
Reproduction
Mating occurs in autumn (unlike most of our other salamanders) Mating takes place on land near streams. Females lay 60-100 round, white eggs (not in a jelly like mass) singly on the underside of logs and rocks. Eggs hatch in late autumn soon develop into larvae.
