Head to head
Blackbelly Salamander vs Black Mountain Salamander
The blackbelly salamander and the black mountain salamander are both large, dark Desmognathus species tied closely to fast Appalachian mountain streams, sharing overlapping parts of their range and enough visual similarity that telling them apart takes more than a glance.
| Blackbelly Salamander | Black Mountain Salamander | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Desmognathus quadramaculatus | Desmognathus welteri |
| Relative size | Largest in its genus | One of the larger Desmognathus species |
| Belly colour | Solid black | Variable, dark |
| Identification difficulty | Distinguishable by size and belly | Often requires range or genetics |
| Diet | Preys on smaller salamanders | Insectivore |
| Range | Southern Appalachian Mountains | Central Appalachian region |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Habitat | Fast mountain streams | Fast mountain streams |
Blackbelly Salamander vs Black Mountain Salamander: common questions
How can you tell a blackbelly salamander from a black mountain salamander?
The blackbelly salamander is the largest member of its genus and shows a solid black belly, while the black mountain salamander overlaps closely in appearance with several other dark, mottled dusky salamander relatives in its central Appalachian range, making precise locality and sometimes genetics more reliable for confirming identification than appearance alone.
Does the blackbelly salamander eat the black mountain salamander?
The blackbelly salamander is known to prey on smaller salamanders, including other Desmognathus species, where their ranges overlap, and given its status as the largest member of the genus, a black mountain salamander small enough to be considered prey could potentially be at risk in areas the two species share.
Do these two salamanders live in the same kind of habitat?
Yes, both species depend on fast, cold, well-oxygenated mountain streams and rarely stray far from the water's edge, though the blackbelly salamander is centred on the southern Appalachian Mountains while the black mountain salamander occupies the central Appalachian region, including parts of Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee.