Shenandoah Salamander

The Shenandoah salamander is a small terrestrial amphibian known only from three mountains, all within the boundaries of Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. It occurs on northwest to northeast facing talus slopes 2,900 feet above sea level. This is a slender, moderate-sized salamander with a total length of 3.5 to 4.5 inches. The body is dark brown, with two colors phases. The striped color phase has a narrow red to yellow stripe down the center of the back. In the unstripped phase, the back is dark brown with scattered brass-colored flecks. In both phases, white or yellow spots occur along the sides.