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Red Backed Salamander
Red backed salamander is a species of small, slender, lungless salamander found in eastern North America. The species is devoid of larval stage as young hatch out from the eggs as small adults. The salamander is terrestrial and territorial as it marks its territory with its scent and dung to notify other salamanders of its presence, range and size.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Amphibia |
| Order | Caudata |
| Family | Plethodontidae |
| Genus | Plethodon |
| Scientific Name | Plethodon cinereus |
| Other Names | Eastern red-backed salamander, northern red-backed salamander |
| Size | 5.7 to 10.0 cm |
| Weight | 0.5 g |
| Color | Gray or black upper surface with some individuals having a red or orange stripe extending from the neck onto the tail; mottled white and gray belly |
| Distribution | Missouri, Carolina, Minnesota (United States), Canada |
| Habitat | Leaf litter on the ground, under rocks, logs, or in small burrows in deciduous forests; lives in humid environment |
| Diet | Mites, millipedes, centipedes, ants, beetles, snails, spiders, earthworms, flies, larvae |
| Hibernation Fact | Hibernate during winter in underground burrows, sometime in groups |
| Predators | Snakes, birds, mammals, large frogs |
| Breeding Season | Autumn to spring |
| Mode of Reproduction | Oviparous (egg laying) |
| Clutch Size | 4 to 17eggs |
| Incubation Period | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Reproductive Age | Around 2 years of age |
| Average Lifespan | Around 25 years |
| IUCN Conservation Status | Least Concern |
Red Backed Salamander Pictures Gallery
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- Eastern Red-backed Salamander
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- Images of Red Backed Salamander
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- Northern Red-backed Salamander
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- Plethodon Cinereus
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- Red Back Salamander
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- Red Back Salamanders
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- Red Backed Salamander Eggs
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- Red Backed Salamander Habitat
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- Red Backed Salamander Range
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- Red Backed Salamander
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- Red Backed Salamanders
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- Baby Red Backed Salamander
Published on March 16th 2017 by staff under Salamanders. Article was last reviewed on 30th September 2019.
