Unique Aspects of the Red Backed Salamander
Of all 500 plus species of salamander, the red backed salamander continues to be one that people find most intriguing. Although small, this tough reptile loves living in eastern regions of North America where it will find wooded slopes. The red backed salamander is found throughout the state of Missouri and to the south areas of North Carolina, as well as certain parts of Canada to include the Maritime Provinces and Quebec.
The other name of the red backed salamander is “Northern Redback Salamander”, which are the same creature. However, another species goes by the name of the Southern Redback Salamander, which is a different species than the one talked about in this article. The one thing about the northern species of the red backed salamander is that two color combinations. Some have a red backed, thus the name, while others are darker on the back referred to as the lead backed salamander.
However, the red backed salamander is seen in a number of different combinations. For instance, you might find one that has a yellow, white, or orange stripe on the back. One of the rarer kinds is the erythristic morph. This particular version of the red backed salamander does not boast a stripe. Instead, this species is completely covered with an orange/red colored skin. Then on the underbellies is black and white.
If out searching in wooded areas for the red backed salamander, the best place to look is under logs, rocks, dead leaves, and even inside dead logs. Interestingly, while small, the salamander is extremely fast. Once they hear prey or feel movement, they scurry away, usually looking for a dug out tunnel where they can hide. Because of this, trying to catch a red backed salamander is challenging.
One unique aspect of the red backed salamander is that while most of these reptiles spend a great deal of time in the water, this species rarely does. For laying eggs, the red backed salamander produces large clusters that literally hang inside a rotted out log or under a rock. When born, they babies are just an inch long although they already look like the adult red backed salamander.
Because this species of reptile lives on the land instead of in the water, it has lungs. To breathe, they actually inhale and exhale through the skin, which needs to be kept moist. The red backed salamander is also a nocturnal creature, meaning they stay hidden during the day and come out once the sun has set. At that time under the cover of dark, they will search for food, which consists of worms, spiders, and various other insects.
One fact of the red backed salamander that most people do not know is that they benefit both soil and plants. Since this reptile burrows through soil, they actually help aerate it. With this, plants receive more nutrition, which means a healthier flowerbed or garden.