Although salamanders are often mistaken for lizards, they’re actually amphibians, not reptiles. Salamanders typically make their home along bodies of water, and some species of salamander are even fully aquatic! There are over 60 known species of salamanders in North Carolina, which means it’s home to more salamander species than any other state!
12 of the Most Common Salamanders in North Carolina
While you can find many more types of salamanders in North Carolina, these are some of the most commonly-seen species in the Tar Heel state. Watch for these salamander species the next time you’re near North Carolina’s waters.
1. Dusky Salamander
Scientific name: Desmognathus spp.
The dusky salamander is a small to medium-sized amphibian with a stocky body and a wide head. Its coloration varies widely, with individuals ranging from olive green to reddish-brown or gray, often with mottled or spotted patterns on their sides. These salamanders are lungless and breathe entirely through their skin, which makes them highly reliant on moist environments. They are known for their agility, using their strong tails and legs to escape predators by quickly darting into water or crevices. Dusky salamanders are primarily nocturnal, spending much of the day hidden beneath rocks, logs, or in burrows near water.
Where to find them in North Carolina: Dusky salamanders are commonly found along streams, rivers, and other freshwater habitats throughout North Carolina. They are particularly abundant in the mountainous western part of the state, where the cool, moist conditions provide the perfect environment for their survival.
2. Black-Bellied Salamander
Scientific name: Desmognathus quadramaculatus
The black-bellied salamander is one of the larger members of its genus, with adults typically reaching up to 8 inches in length. This salamander is named for its dark, almost black belly, which contrasts with its gray or brownish back, often marked with faint patterns. Juveniles possess external gills for aquatic life, which are lost as they mature. Black-bellied salamanders are excellent swimmers and are known for their territorial nature, often defending their hiding spots from other salamanders. They are also more active during the day compared to many other salamander species.
Where to find them in North Carolina: These salamanders thrive in the mountain streams of western North Carolina. They are often seen on wet rocks or in the shallows of fast-moving streams and rivers. Their preferred habitats are clean, oxygen-rich waters with plenty of hiding spots like submerged rocks and crevices.
3. Mudpuppy
Scientific name: Necturus maculosus
The mudpuppy is a fully aquatic salamander, easily identified by its large, feathery external gills, which are visible throughout its life. Unlike many other salamanders, mudpuppies retain these gills even in adulthood, allowing them to thrive in a variety of aquatic environments. They are robust and large, often reaching lengths of up to 16 inches. Their coloration is typically a grayish or brownish hue with dark blotches along their bodies. Mudpuppies are nocturnal and can often be found scavenging at the bottom of rivers, lakes, or ponds. Unique among salamanders, they are capable of vocalizing, producing a sound that resembles a dog’s bark, which is why they are sometimes called “waterdogs.”
Where to find them in North Carolina: Mudpuppies are found in large bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across the state. They prefer areas with plenty of underwater debris like rocks, logs, and vegetation, which provide both shelter and foraging opportunities.
4. Red Salamander
Scientific name: Pseudotriton ruber
The red salamander is a visually striking amphibian, known for its bright orange or reddish skin covered in irregular black spots. Its coloration can vary depending on its age and habitat, with younger individuals displaying more vivid colors that fade over time. Red salamanders are stout-bodied and have short, stocky legs. They are predators with a varied diet that includes insects, worms, and even smaller salamanders. This species is lungless, relying on its skin for respiration, which means it requires moist environments to survive.
Where to find them in North Carolina: Red salamanders are commonly found in wooded areas near creeks, rivers, and ponds throughout the state. They prefer clean, cool water sources and can often be seen hiding under rocks or logs near streams in the Piedmont and mountainous regions.
5. Spotted Salamander
Scientific name: Ambystoma maculatum
The spotted salamander is a member of the mole salamander group and is known for its striking appearance, with dark gray or black skin and rows of yellow or orange spots running down its back. These salamanders spend much of their lives underground, earning their “mole” nickname. They emerge primarily during rainy nights in the spring to breed in temporary pools, known as vernal pools. Their breeding behavior is a spectacular sight, with dozens of individuals congregating in a single pool.
Where to find them in North Carolina: Spotted salamanders are widespread in North Carolina and can be found in forests across the state. They are most active during the breeding season in early spring, when they emerge from their underground burrows to gather near temporary wetlands.
6. Red-Spotted Newt
Scientific name: Notophthalmus viridescens
The red-spotted newt is a fascinating salamander with a complex lifecycle that includes both aquatic and terrestrial stages. As juveniles, these salamanders are bright orange with red spots, a phase known as the “eft” stage. Adult red-spotted newts often turn greenish or yellowish in color but retain their characteristic red spots. They secrete toxins through their skin, making them unpalatable to predators. This species is highly adaptable and can live in a range of aquatic habitats.
Where to find them in North Carolina: Red-spotted newts are found in ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams throughout the state. The terrestrial eft stage is more commonly seen in forests, particularly after rain, while adults are typically found in aquatic environments.
7. Seal Salamander
Scientific name: Desmognathus monticola
The seal salamander is a medium-sized amphibian with smooth skin and a robust body. Its color ranges from gray to brown, often with dark, wavy markings along its back. Unlike some other salamanders, the seal salamander is primarily nocturnal, spending much of its day hiding under rocks or logs near water. As a lungless species, it relies on its skin for respiration, making moist habitats essential for its survival.
Where to find them in North Carolina: Seal salamanders are most often found in the cool, clear streams and rivers of the Appalachian Mountains in western North Carolina. They prefer areas with plenty of cover, such as rocks, leaf litter, or submerged debris along stream banks.
8. Hellbender
Scientific name: Cryptobranchus alleganiensis
The hellbender is the largest salamander species in North America, growing up to 30 inches long. This fully aquatic amphibian has a flattened head, small lidless eyes, and loose, wrinkled skin along its sides that helps with oxygen absorption. Hellbenders are nocturnal hunters, feeding on crayfish, small fish, and aquatic insects. Despite their intimidating size and appearance, they are harmless to humans and are often called “snot otters” or “water dogs.”
Where to find them in North Carolina: Hellbenders are typically found in fast-moving, oxygen-rich streams and rivers in the mountains of western North Carolina. They favor habitats with clean water and large, flat rocks for shelter. Due to habitat loss and pollution, their populations have declined, and they are considered a species of special concern.
9. Red-Backed Salamander
Scientific name: Plethodon cinereus
The red-backed salamander is a small, slender amphibian with two distinct color morphs: one with a red or orange stripe running down its back (the “red-backed” morph) and one that is entirely dark gray or black (the “lead-backed” morph). These lungless salamanders are highly territorial and will defend their habitat against other salamanders. They have the remarkable ability to shed their tails when threatened, distracting predators while they escape.
Where to find them in North Carolina: Red-backed salamanders are commonly found in forests across the state, particularly in the Piedmont and mountain regions. They prefer damp environments and can often be found under rocks, logs, or leaf litter, especially after rain.
10. Blue Ridge Two-Lined Salamander
Scientific name: Eurycea wilderae
The Blue Ridge two-lined salamander is a slender and agile amphibian with a golden-yellow body and two dark lines running along its back. They’re primarily aquatic during their larval stage but become semi-terrestrial as adults. This species is active year-round in cooler climates and are known for their quick movements. Their preference for clear, cold water makes them sensitive to habitat disturbances and water quality issues.
Where to find them in North Carolina: This species is primarily found in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Look for them along the edges of cool, fast-flowing streams and under rocks or logs near water sources.
11. Marbled Salamander
Scientific name: Ambystoma opacum
The marbled salamander is one of the most visually striking salamanders in North Carolina, with bold black-and-white banding patterns across its stocky body. Unlike many other salamanders, marbled salamanders breed in the fall, laying their eggs in dry depressions that will later fill with rainwater.
The eggs are guarded by the female until they hatch, which is an uncommon behavior among salamanders. Like most salamanders, this species has poisonous glands that help protect it from predators, but its toxins are not harmful to humans.
Where to find them in North Carolina: Marbled salamanders are widespread across the state and can be found in forests, particularly in areas with loose soil and leaf litter. They are often spotted near vernal pools or temporary wetlands where they breed.
12. Four-Toed Salamander
Scientific name: Hemidactylium scutatum
The four-toed salamander is a small, delicate species with a reddish-brown back and a white belly speckled with black spots. As its name suggests, it has only four toes on its hind feet, unlike most other salamanders that have five. These salamanders have a unique nesting behavior, laying their eggs in mossy, water-filled depressions, where the larvae hatch and drop into the water to develop further. Four-toed salamanders are secretive and rely on their cryptic coloration to avoid predators.
Where to find them in North Carolina: This species is most often found in the Piedmont and mountain regions of North Carolina, particularly near boggy wetlands and sphagnum moss. They are elusive but can be spotted under logs or moss near small water sources.
A Few Other Notable Salamander Species in North Carolina
In addition to the species highlighted above, North Carolina is home to many other fascinating salamanders. Here are some other notable species you might encounter:
- Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) – Common across much of North Carolina, especially in wooded areas with abundant leaf litter. These black salamanders with white spots are often found under logs or rocks in damp forests.
- Northern Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber ruber) – A subspecies of the red salamander, it is found in the mountains and Piedmont regions near cool streams and springs. Less common than its southern counterpart but still frequently encountered in its range.
- Two-Toed Amphiuma (Amphiuma means) – An unusual, eel-like salamander found in the eastern parts of the state, particularly in swamps, ditches, and slow-moving waters. While elusive, they are relatively common in suitable habitats.
- Longtail Salamander (Eurycea longicauda) – Found in the western and Piedmont regions of the state, near streams and rocky outcrops. This slim salamander with a strikingly long tail is fairly common but often overlooked due to its secretive nature.
- Green Salamander (Aneides aeneus) – A rare and striking species found in the mountainous western regions of North Carolina. Prefers rocky crevices and shaded cliffs with abundant moss and lichen.
- Eastern Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum) – A subspecies of the tiger salamander, it inhabits similar areas in the eastern part of the state and is considered uncommon due to habitat loss.
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