Mountain Dusky Salamander
(Desmognathus ochrophaeus) |
 |
DESCRIPTION: 2 3/4-4 3/8" (7-11.1
cm). Varies greatly in color and pattern. Pale line from eye to
angle of jaw. Tail rounded; half of total length. Northern
forms; gray, brown, olive, yellow, or orange; have wide,
straight-edged, dark-bordered stripe marked with V shapes down
back and tail. Southern forms: dark margins of stripe usually
wavy, but vary from nearly straight to zigzagged; dark bars
cross stripe.
STATUS:
RANGE: West of Hudson River in New York to
Northeast. Georgia; also Northeast Alabama.
HABITAT: The Mountain Dusky Salamanders are
found over a large area at elevations of 600 ft. and higher. At
low elevations it is found near springs streams and seepage
areas, at higher altitudes it seems to prefer cool, moist floors
of conifer forests.
SPECIAL HABITAT: Mountain Dusky Salamanders
are also known to congregate in the winter in springs or seepage
areas.
FOOD: It eats small flies, beetles, mites. |
