Virginia is home to a fascinating array of salamanders, ranging from tiny, forest-dwelling species to massive, eel-like giants. Salamanders in Virginia thrive in diverse habitats, from moist woodlands to fast-moving streams, and play a crucial role in the local ecosystems. Despite their lizard-like appearance, salamanders are unique amphibians with incredible abilities, like regenerating lost limbs and breathing through their skin.
In this article, we’ll explore 20 salamander species found across the state, highlighting their distinct features, habitats, and diets. From the vibrant spotted salamander to the elusive hellbender, there’s so much to discover about these amazing creatures!
20 Salamanders in Virginia
Here’s a closer look at 20 of the salamanders found in Virginia, from the common to the more rare, and where you might spot them in the wild.
1. Jefferson salamander
Scientific name: Ambystoma jeffersonianum
This large salamander, reaching up to 7 inches in length, is dark brown with pale blue spots that fade with age. Jefferson salamanders are found in northwestern Virginia, especially in counties bordering West Virginia. They prefer forested areas near wetlands and spend most of their lives hidden in burrows underground, making them rarely seen above ground.
Due to their subterranean lifestyle, their feeding habits aren’t well-documented, but they are believed to primarily consume earthworms and other invertebrates living in the soil.
2. Mabee’s salamander
Scientific name: Ambystoma mabeei
Mabee’s salamander is a smaller species, growing to about 4 inches long, with brown bodies flecked with silvery patterns. They inhabit the southeastern coastal areas of Virginia, favoring open forests, pine forests, and grasslands.
As adults, they feed mostly on earthworms, while the aquatic larvae rely on zooplankton as their primary food source. This species’ limited range makes it a less commonly encountered salamander in Virginia.
3. Spotted salamander
Scientific name: Ambystoma maculatum
Common across most of Virginia, the spotted salamander can grow up to 8 inches long. It’s easily recognized by its grayish-black body adorned with bright yellow spots. These salamanders thrive in forested areas, especially floodplains, where they hide under leaf litter, rotting logs, or other moist cover.
Their diet is diverse, including earthworms, insects, mollusks, and other forest floor invertebrates. Like many salamanders, they are remarkable for their ability to regrow lost limbs, a testament to their adaptability.
4. Marbled salamander
Scientific name: Ambystoma opacum
This striking salamander gets its name from the silver or white bands that contrast with its deep black body. Marbled salamanders grow to a little over 4 inches in length and are found throughout most of Virginia. They typically inhabit deciduous forests, spending much of their time in burrows or under leaf litter.
Their diet primarily consists of earthworms and small invertebrates, although specific feeding habits are not well-studied. These nocturnal salamanders are often seen during their breeding season near temporary pools.
5. Mole salamander
Scientific name: Ambystoma talpoideum
The mole salamander is a dark brown to nearly black species with bluish speckles and can grow up to 5 inches in length. Found mostly in south-central Virginia, this species is fascinating because some individuals never undergo metamorphosis, remaining aquatic their entire lives.
They are opportunistic feeders, consuming a variety of invertebrates, including zooplankton and insects, as well as tadpoles. Adults that live on land dig burrows near water sources, making them harder to spot.
6. Eastern tiger salamander
Scientific name: Ambystoma tigrinum
The Eastern tiger salamander is one of the largest salamanders in Virginia, typically growing between 7 and 8 inches, with some individuals reaching up to 13 inches. Its brown body is patterned with lighter spots and stripes, reminiscent of a tiger. This species is rare in Virginia and found only in isolated pockets.
Tiger salamanders are versatile in their habitats—some adults are terrestrial, digging burrows, while others remain aquatic. Terrestrial adults eat invertebrates and even small vertebrates like mice, while aquatic adults feed on worms, insects, and tadpoles. These salamanders are also popular in the pet trade due to their size and striking appearance.
7. Two-toed amphiuma
Scientific name: Amphiuma means
The two-toed amphiuma is a massive salamander, reaching nearly three feet in length. Its long, eel-like body and tiny, nearly useless legs set it apart from most other salamanders. Found in southeastern Virginia, this species prefers shallow, vegetation-filled waters such as lakes, swamps, and slow-moving rivers.
As opportunistic predators, they feed on fish, reptiles, insects, and even other amphibians. They are occasionally caught by fishermen because they strike the same bait as local fish species.
8. Green salamander
Scientific name: Aneides aeneus
Despite its name, the green salamander is more yellowish-green and often found in the westernmost tip of Virginia. These 5-inch-long salamanders are well-adapted to living in unique habitats like rock outcrops, caves, and under the bark of logs in wooded areas.
While their feeding habits are not fully documented, they are assumed to primarily eat small invertebrates. Their ability to cling to vertical surfaces allows them to navigate their rocky environments with ease.
9. Eastern hellbender
Scientific name: Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis
The eastern hellbender is the largest salamander in the United States and one of the three giant salamanders worldwide. Fully aquatic, it has a flattened head, stocky body, and fleshy skin folds that help it blend into rocky stream bottoms. Found in fast-flowing rivers in western Virginia, it requires clean, well-oxygenated water to thrive.
Hellbenders primarily eat crayfish but will occasionally consume small fish, snails, and even other salamanders. Their reliance on pristine waterways makes them an indicator species for environmental health.
10. Southern dusky salamander
Scientific name: Desmognathus auriculatus
The southern dusky salamander is a dark brown amphibian with a mottled white-and-brown belly, perfectly camouflaging it in the wetlands and swamps of southeastern Virginia. When out of the water, they can often be found under rocks or logs near the water’s edge.
Their diet includes aquatic invertebrates, insects, and other small prey found in their swampy habitats. As a species dependent on moist environments, they are sensitive to changes in water quality and habitat availability.
11. Northern dusky salamander
Scientific name: Desmognathus fuscus
The northern dusky salamander is widespread and common throughout Virginia, thriving in wooded streams with plenty of underwater vegetation. It has a uniform reddish-brown coloration, which distinguishes it from the darker southern dusky salamander. Unlike its southern counterpart, it avoids swampy areas and prefers faster-moving, cooler water.
This species is highly opportunistic, feeding on a variety of invertebrates, including plankton, insects, and worms. Its adaptability to different stream conditions makes it one of the most abundant salamanders in the state.
12. Shovel-nosed salamander
Scientific name: Desmognathus marmoratus
The shovel-nosed salamander is a robust, stocky species with dark brown skin marked by yellow-brown splotches. True to its name, it has a flat, shovel-like snout that helps it navigate fast-moving water. It is commonly found in and around rapids of shallow streams in Virginia’s mountainous regions.
Its diet consists mainly of aquatic invertebrates, such as insects, crayfish, and snails. This salamander’s preference for rapid streams makes it well-suited for high-energy environments where few predators can thrive.
13. Seal salamander
Scientific name: Desmognathus monticola
Found throughout western Virginia, the seal salamander is light brown with black spots and a pale belly. It inhabits hardwood forests with cool, fast-moving streams and is known for its nocturnal behavior. Adults often wait at the entrances of their burrows to ambush unsuspecting prey.
Seal salamanders feed on a variety of invertebrates, including bugs, beetles, ants, mayflies, millipedes, and earthworms. Their predatory nature and adaptability make them a key part of the forest floor ecosystem.
14. Alleghany Mountain dusky salamander
Scientific name: Desmognathus ochrophaeus
This drab brown species is found in Virginia’s western mountainous regions, where it inhabits moist woodlands, wet rock faces, and small streams. Its muted coloration allows it to blend seamlessly with its surroundings, providing excellent camouflage from predators.
As ambush predators, they feed on small invertebrates such as insects, snails, and earthworms. Their reliance on moisture and rocky habitats makes them particularly vulnerable to habitat destruction and climate changes.
15. Blue Ridge dusky salamander
Scientific name: Desmognathus orestes
The Blue Ridge dusky salamander is similar in appearance to the Alleghany Mountain dusky salamander, with a drab brown coloration and faint spotting. It is found in the mountainous, forested regions of western Virginia, particularly near wet rock faces and along streams and creeks.
While specific dietary data is unavailable, it likely preys on small invertebrates such as insects, snails, and earthworms, similar to other dusky salamanders. Its preference for cool, moist environments makes it a specialist of its niche habitats.
16. Eastern newt
Scientific name: Notophthalmus viridescens
The Eastern newt, often called the red-spotted newt, is one of the most recognizable salamanders in Virginia. Its coloration varies with life stage: juveniles (known as red efts) are bright orange-red, while adults transition to a more subdued olive-green or yellow-brown. This species is found statewide in and around permanent or semi-permanent water bodies like ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams.
Eastern newts are carnivorous throughout their lives. As juveniles, they prey on tiny invertebrates on land, while adults feed on insects, crustaceans, and small aquatic animals. Their ability to transition between terrestrial and aquatic environments makes them highly adaptable and widespread.
17. Four-toed salamander
Scientific name: Hemidactylium scutatum
The four-toed salamander is a small species, growing to just 3–4 inches in length. It has a reddish-brown back, a white belly with black specks, and a distinct constriction at the base of its tail. Found in isolated populations across Virginia, it inhabits sphagnum bogs, wet forests, and areas near vernal pools.
Its diet consists primarily of small invertebrates, such as insects and springtails. This species is notable for its unique nesting behavior, with females often laying eggs in mossy areas above water, where the larvae drop into the water upon hatching.
18. Long-tailed salamander
Scientific name: Eurycea longicauda
The long-tailed salamander is aptly named for its slender body and tail, which can be twice the length of its head and torso combined. This yellow to orange salamander is marked with irregular black spots and can be found in caves, moist forests, and near streams throughout much of Virginia.
It feeds on small invertebrates, such as insects, spiders, and worms. Its preference for moist, shaded habitats often brings it close to rocky crevices and under debris, where it can remain hidden during the day.
19. Spring salamander
Scientific name: Gyrinophilus porphyriticus
The spring salamander is a robust species that grows up to 9 inches long, making it one of the larger salamanders in Virginia. Its coloration ranges from pinkish-orange to reddish-brown, with a faint line running from its eye to its nostril. Found in cool, clear springs and streams, it prefers mountainous regions of the state.
Spring salamanders are voracious predators, feeding on smaller salamanders, insects, and other invertebrates. Their reliance on pristine, oxygen-rich water makes them highly sensitive to pollution and habitat disturbance.
20. Red salamander
Scientific name: Pseudotriton ruber
The red salamander is one of Virginia’s most striking amphibians, with its bright reddish-orange body covered in black spots. Growing up to 7 inches in length, this species is found across the state in moist woodlands, near streams, and in spring-fed areas. Its vibrant coloration serves as a warning to predators, as its skin secretes toxic substances.
Red salamanders are highly carnivorous, feeding on small invertebrates, other salamanders, and even small fish. Their preference for clear, unpolluted water makes them a key indicator species for environmental health. The combination of their bold coloration and fascinating behaviors makes them a standout addition to Virginia’s salamander diversity.
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