The Red Back (or Backed) Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) is a small, hardy woodland salamander. The red-backed salamander is found mostly in two color variations: the nominate red variety, 'redback', as well as a darker phase known as the 'leadback' which lacks most or all of the red pigmentation found in the red phase. However, one can also find a variety of other color variations (e.g., stripe of yellow, orange, white, or an uncommon erythristic morph, which is completely reddish-orange).
Ten Facts about Eastern Red-backed Salamander
- The red-backed salamander's range extends west to Missouri; south to North Carolina; and north from southern Quebec and the Maritime Provinces in Canada to Minnesota.
- They are found in the leaf litter on the ground as well as under rocks, logs, or in small burrows.
- They can grow 5.7 to 12.7 cm.
- Breeding occurs in June and July.
- Females produce from 4 to 17 eggs in a year. The eggs will hatch in 6 to 8 weeks.
- Their diet includes mites, spiders, insects, centipedes, millipedes, beetles, snails, ants, earthworms, flies, and larvae.
- Red-backed salamanders make up an important food source for a wide variety of snakes, birds, and mammals.
- Red-backed salamanders can live for up to 32 years, but average up to 8 years.
- The mother remains coiled around the egg cluster until they hatch.
- Young mature in approximately two years.
