Eastern red-backed salamander

Our most common salamander. Two color forms. There is no larval aquatic stage; complete development takes place inside the egg. A lungless salamander, breathing through its skin and mouth lining. Red-backed form has a distinct reddish stripe down middle of back. Lead-backed form is a uniform dark gray or black. Belly is mottled in black and white (salt-and-peppered) in both phases.