Red-Backed Salamander
Description
Breeding
Habitat
Subspecies
Other
Red-Backed Salamander |
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Description
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2 1/2-5". Long and slender. Two color phases: "Red-backed" has broad, straight-edged, dark bordered red stripe extending along back from head onto tail and narrowing at base of tail. Stripe may be yellow, orange, pink, or gray, "lead-backed" is light gray to almost black, without stripe. Intermediates are occasionally found. Belly has black and white molting. |
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Breeding
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Courts and mates October to April. In June or July suspends a grapelike cluster of about 6-12 eggs from roof of small cavity under stone or within rotten log. Female coils about and attends eggs until they hatch at 7/8" omit aquatic stage; mature in 2 years. Females lay eggs every other year. |
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Habitat
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Cool moist coniferous, mixed, and hardwood forests; sea level to 5,600'. |
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Subspecies
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Other
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