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Salamanders

    Kingdom: Animalia
    Division: Chordata
    Subdivision: Vertebrata
    Class: Amphibia
    Subclass: Lissamphibia
    Order: Caudata

Salamanders (order Caudata)

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Tailed amphibians are collectively refered to as salamanders or caudates and are members of the taxonomic order Caudata. Order Caudata is further subdivided into smaller taxonomic groups called families. In Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, seven families are represented: Mole salamanders (family Ambystomatidae), Amphiumas (family Amphiumidae), Giant Salamanders and Hellbenders (family Cryptobranchidae), Lungless Salamanders (family Plethodontidae), Mudpuppies, Olms and Waterdogs of the family Proteidae, Newts (family Salamandridae), and Sirens (family Sirenidae). Within these families, there are 159 species, subspecies, or distinct caudate populations in the region according to NatureServe Explorer database records retrieved in 2008.

Tailed amphibians of Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi are organized on this page by taxonomic families.

One-toed Amphiuma (Amphiuma pholeter) - [Copyright: Dan Hipes/Florida Natural Areas Inventory, used with permission]

Amphiumas (Family Amphiumidae)
Amphiumas are fully aquatic tailed amphibians frequently found burrowing in the thick sediment of wetlands.

Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) - [Copyright: Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, used with permission]

Giant Salamanders, Hellbenders (Family Cryptobranchidae)
Giant Salamanders and Hellbenders inhabit fast moving rivers with rocky bottoms and are very large, ranging in length from 12-24 inches.

Ocoee Salamander (Desmognathus ocoee) - [Copyright: John D. Willson, Savannah River Ecology Lab / USGS Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative, used with permission]

Lungless Salamanders (Family Plethodontidae)
Lungless salamanders are largely terrestrial but are abundant around streams. Lacking lungs and gills, they are unique for "breathing" through their skin.

Flatwoods Salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum) - [Photo: USGS/Florida Integrated Science Center]

Mole Salamanders (Family Ambystomatidae)
Mole Salamanders are often subterranean, burrowing under the earth and seldom seen above-ground.

Mudpuppy (Ambystoma cingulatum) - [Copyright: Ohio Department of Natural Resources, used with permission]

Mudpuppies, Olms, Waterdogs (Family Proteidae)
Similar in appearance to but not as large as Hellbenders, aquatic mudpuppies are found widely from Canada, the Midwest, and southeast to Georgia.

Red-spotted Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens) - [Copyright: John D. Willson, Savannah River Ecology Lab / USGS Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative, used with permission]

Newts, Salamanders (Family Salamandridae)
"True Salamanders" fall within this family. They are distinct from other tailed amphibians because their skin's texture is rough and lacks a moist surface.

Greater siren (Siren lacertina) - [Copyright: Joseph LaForest, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org, used with permission]

Sirens (Family Sirenidae)
These amphibians are aquatic, lack hind limbs, and have very small front limbs.

For additional Web resources about Caudates, please refer to the NBII resource catalog viewer below. Metadata from the NBII Metadata Clearinghouse is also available below.


NBII Catalog Query for Salamanders (order Caudata)  
Web Resources for Salamanders of Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi
Search 280 Results Within Web Resources for Salamanders of Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi
Showing 100 of 280
1.
Ambystoma jeffersonianum - Jefferson Salamander
Provides information on the Jefferson Salamander, including Red List status, distribution, life history, threats, conservation measures, and utilization.
2.
Ambystoma mabeei - Mabee's Salamander
Provides information on the Mabee's Salamander, including Red List status, distribution, life history, threats, conservation measures, and utilization.
3.
Ambystoma maculatum - Spotted Salamander
Provides information on the Spotted Salamander, including Red List status, distribution, life history, threats, conservation measures, and utilization.
4.
Ambystoma maculatum Shaw, Spotted salamander - Biodiversity of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
A basic description of the Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) found within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as part of an All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory. This species profile features taxonomic information, an image gallery,...
5.
Ambystoma opacum Gravenhorst, Marbled salamander - Biodiversity of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
A basic description of the Marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum Gravenhorst)found within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as part of an All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory. This species profile features taxonomic information, an image gallery, a...
6.
Amphibia: Caudata: Plethodontidae - Plethodon Petraeus
Detailed species profile for the Pigeon Mountain Salamander (Pletodon petraeus). Includes geographic information, definition, diagnosis, a distribution and occurrence map, descriptions, a photgraph, references for illustrations, Fossil record,...
7.
Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative Photo Gallery
Search 233 images of amphibians including frogs, toads and salamanders.
8.
Amphibians and reptiles of the Great Falls bypassed reaches in South Carolina
Abstract: An inventory was conducted of the amphibians and reptiles inhabiting the Great Falls Bypassed Reaches of the Catawba River in South Carolina. A list of 85 species of amphibians and reptiles potentially occurring in the Great Falls Bypassed...
9.
Aneides aeneus (Cope and Packard), Green salamander - Biodiversity of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
A basic description of Aneides aeneus (Cope and Packard), Green salamander as part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory, this Web page features a natural history, species description, taxonomy, image gallery,...
10.
Caudata (Salamanders) Tree of Life Web Project
This Web page presents phylogenetic relationships of salamanders based on combined molecular and morphological data. Inclues an introduction to the taxon, visual representation of the taxonomic heirarchy, characteristics, classification, discussion...

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NBII Metadata Clearinghouse Search Results for Salamanders (order Caudata)  
Displaying first 10 metadata records only - Click the "NBII Clearinghouse Search Results RSS Feed" link below to search for more metadata records.
NBII Clearinghouse Search Results RSS Feed
This is the search result based on your NBII Clearinghouse search criteria.
Checklist of Amphibian Species and Identification Guide: An Online Guide for the Identification of Amphibians in North America north of Mexico
The checklist is one of all amphibian species and subspecies currently recognized in North America north of Mexico. This list is based on Crother (2000); published by the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, SSAR). Two versions of the li... ( Wed, 01 Jan 1997 23:59:59 +0000 )
Amphibians of Olympic National Park
This fact sheet describes the groups of amphibians found in Olympic National Park. Salamanders, frogs and toads live in the ponds, streams or moist, rocky areas found in the park. The life cycles and habits of these amphibians are described in the fa... ( Sat, 01 Jan 2000 23:59:59 +0000 )
Olympic National Park Terrestrial Herp Incidental Records 2000-01
The dataset represents the results from a two-year survey (2000-2001) of amphibians and reptiles in Olympic National Park. The database contains records of incidental surveys, which were opportunistic surveys conducted in habitats deemed suitable fo... ( Wed, 01 Jan 2003 23:59:59 +0000 )
Alabama Natural Heritage Program Element Occurrence Data for Rare and Endangered Species in Alabama
The Alabama Natural Heritage Program (ALNHP) maintains a database of rare and imperiled species and plant communities across Alabama. The Element Occurrence (EO) records that form the core of the ALNHP database include information on the location, st... ( Fri, 01 Jan 2100 23:59:59 +0000 )
Alabama Natural Heritage Program Element Occurrence Data for Rare and Endangered Species in Alabama
The Alabama Natural Heritage Program (ALNHP) maintains a database of rare and imperiled species and plant communities across Alabama. The Element Occurrence (EO) records that form the core of the ALNHP database include information on the location, st... ( Fri, 01 Jan 2100 23:59:59 +0000 )
Olympic National Park Terrestrial Herp Survey 2000-01
This database represents the results of a two-year survey (2000-2001) of amphibians and reptiles in Olympic National Park. The database contains records of probabilistic surveys, which were terrestrial surveys for reptiles and amphibians conducted a... ( Wed, 01 Jan 2003 23:59:59 +0000 )
Terrestrial and stream amphibians across clearcut-forest interfaces in the Siskiyou Mountains, Oregon
The number of terrestrial and stream-dwelling amphibians on the interface of recent clearcut areas and mature forest in the Siskiyou Mountains, Oregon was investigated in the summer and fall of 1998. Ensatinas and Del Norte salamanders were the most ... ( Tue, 01 Jan 2002 23:59:59 +0000 )
Terrestrial and stream amphibians across clearcut-forest interfaces in the Siskiyou Mountains, Oregon
The number of terrestrial and stream-dwelling amphibians on the interface of recent clearcut areas and mature forest in the Siskiyou Mountains, Oregon was investigated in the summer and fall of 1998. Ensatinas and Del Norte salamanders were the most ... ( Tue, 01 Jan 2002 23:59:59 +0000 )
Use of Amphibian Communities as Indicators of Restoration Success
We will use established sampling methodologies such as mark-recapture to investigate survival, movement, and density, develop new methods for sampling across hydroperiod gradients (drift fence arrays), and use newly developed statistical techniques ... ( Fri, 01 Jan 2100 23:59:59 +0000 )
Taxonomic validation for amphibian species on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Category 2 Species list, brdsar0010
A list of 120 amphibian and reptile taxa proposed for listing as endangered or threatened for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was reviewed. These taxa were placed in category 2 because in most instances they were submitted for consideration in the... ( Fri, 01 Sep 1995 23:59:59 +0000 )

Species Spotlight

Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum)
[Copyright: John Jensen/Dr. Camp, USDA Forest Service]

Four-toed Salamander
Hemidactylium scutatum

Description: Small lungless slender salamander with rusty to grayish brown above with grayish sides and may have small black and bluish speckles on sides. Length is 2 to 4 in (5 to 10 cm). Unique characteristics: four-toed hind feet and tail is constricted (narrows) at its base.

Life History: Breeds in fall and lays 30-50 eggs under moss, and spawns in early March and the larvae hatch in May. The eggs are laid so that larvae fall or wriggle into shallow ponds, pools, or small, quiet streams.

Habitat: Wooded areas with pools, bogs, or slow bog streams. In leaf litter and under rocks and logs.

Distribution: Widely but discontinuously distributed throughout much of the eastern U.S.

Status: Designated as a species of "Great Conservation Need" in states of Ky., Miss., N.C., S.C., & Tenn.

Resources:

Bullet pointNatureServe Explorer Species Profile

Bullet pointeNature.com Species Profile

Bullet pointSavannah River Ecology Lab Species Profile

Bullet pointFour-toed Salamander Range Map from the USGS National Amphibian Atlas
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