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Northern Dusky Salamander
(Desmognathus fuscus)
Photo by permission of Alvin Braswell,
NC State Museum of Natural Sciences
Seasons in Walnut Creek: Year-round resident
This is one of the most common salamanders in North America. This species has gills when in the totally aquatic larval stage and can be found underneath debris at the bottom of creeks and streams. Being nocturnal, it is non-active during the day and can occasionally be found under debris. The color patterns on its back will change as it ages.
Key Field Marks:
- Pale line from eye to angle of jaw
- Juveniles have 6-8 pairs of dots that fade away as it grows
- Tan of dark on top
- Often with a wavy stripe on each side of back
- Adults are 2.5-4.5 inches long
Key Behaviors:
- Eats small insects, spiders, and various macro-invertebrates
- Nocturnal, spends days under debris or in burrows along the side of the creek
- Lays 10-20 eggs and female stays with them until they hatch
Habit and Range:
- Woodland creeks, and some springs
- Lives in muddy and rocky areas going up the creek
- From south New Brunswick and southeastern Quebec in Canada, to eastern Kentucky, and the mountains and piedmont of North Carolina and South Carolina
Walnut Creek Sighting: Found underneath debris at the bottom of Walnut Creek on a cold cloudy day in early December.
This page prepared by 8th grader Jonny C.
Exploris Middle School - Fall 2008
