Eastern red-backed salamander

== Physical Description

Habitat

Eastern red-backed salamanders can be found as far south as North Carolina, west over to Ohio, and north into New England through Nova Scotia. They can be found in varying types of forests, from deciduous or coniferous. Dry or sandy soils will usually be avoided by this species. Like most salamanders one can find them hidden under logs, leaf litter, and rocks as they are most active during the night.

Ecology

Many different tpyes of invertebrates are preyed upon by these salamanders. Spiders, centipedes, ants, beetles slugs, and worms are all on their menu.

Reproduction

Mating season for eastern red-backs begins in sometime between October through December. The courtship initiates with the male rubbing his head on the female's snout. After the rubbing has ceased the male then deposits the spermatophore and the female retrieves it. A very large amount of energy is required for the females to produce their eggs, so it is thought that they only breed once every other year. She lays her eggs sometime in the summer. Eggs then hatch two months later in August or September.

References

[1] Harding, J. & Mifsud, D. "Amphibians & Reptiles of the Great Lakes Region". University of Michigan Press, 2017. pg 99-102