Amphibians
Southern Appalachian Salamander
Plethodon teyahalee · also called southern Appalachian salamanders
After a night of steady rain, a southern Appalachian salamander emerges from beneath a rotting log to hunt across the damp forest floor, its lungless body relying entirely on moist skin to breathe, a dependence that ties it inseparably to the cool, humid mountain forests it calls home.
Overview
The southern Appalachian salamander, Plethodon teyahalee, is a large, lungless woodland salamander native to forested mountain habitat across parts of the southern Appalachian Mountains, including areas of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. Its complete reliance on skin breathing, notably large size for its genus, and strong dependence on damp forest conditions make it a representative example of the lungless salamander diversity the southern Appalachians are famous for.
A body built entirely around staying moist
Every aspect of this salamander’s daily life, from its nighttime activity to its retreat underground during dry spells, is shaped by the basic physical requirement of keeping its skin damp enough to breathe.
Status
Least Concern — widespread and stable across suitable forested mountain habitat throughout the southern Appalachian Mountains, though sensitive to logging and other forest disturbance at the local level.
Southern Appalachian Salamander: common questions
Why does the southern Appalachian salamander need to stay in damp habitat?
This species has no lungs and breathes entirely through its moist skin and the lining of its mouth, so it must keep its body surface damp at all times to absorb enough oxygen, a physical requirement that confines it to cool, damp forest habitat and forces it to retreat underground or under cover during dry or hot conditions.
When is the best time to see a southern Appalachian salamander?
This species is most active on the forest floor at night and during and after rainfall, when humidity is at its highest and the risk of its skin drying out is at its lowest, making damp nights the most reliable time to find one out and active.
How big does a southern Appalachian salamander get?
This species reaches a notably larger size than many of its close relatives within the same genus, making it one of the bigger woodland salamanders found within the southern Appalachian Mountains.
Does the southern Appalachian salamander always look the same?
No, this species shows considerable variation in body colour and pattern across different parts of its range, from mostly dark forms to individuals with scattered brassy or white flecking, a variability that can make identification tricky without knowing the specific local population.