Northern Two-lined Salamander

Description:

Adult salamanders in this family do not have lungs, but take in oxygen through their skin. Physical characteristics include two dark stripes, one along each side. The venter can be translucent, pale yellow, or white. The dorsal surface has a pattern of spots and mottling. This salamander was approximately 6cm long.

Habitat:

Spotted under a piece of wood that was right on the edge of a river in a mostly deciduous forest. The salamander only stayed put for a minute and then ran off into the water (photo 6).

Notes:

Reproduction for northern two-lined salamanders begins with an elaborate courtship! It begins as the male pokes the female with his head, coils his body around her head, and then he bites her. Next, they walk entwined for awhile. He will then deposit a sperm packet, which she will pick up with her cloaca (the opening amphibians use for reproduction). Her eggs get internally fertilized. Females lay 30+ eggs underwater, which she will then guard until they hatch.