Long-tailed Salamander

Eurycea longicauda

The Appalachian Mountains are among the very best places in the world to look for salamanders. There are lots of species and a great many individuals, including the Long-tailed Salamander. As an adult, the Long-tailed has a tail about two-thirds its total body length. It is a colorful creature, contrasting brightly with the forest floor.

Look For : A long-tailed, slender salamander with variable markings: a yellow to orange back, orange to blackish sides, and dark spots and bars.

Length : 4-7".

Habitat : Rocky streams, caves, and mines; swamps and low hammocks (raised areas in wetlands) in Florida.

Range : Eastern U.S., south from central New York.