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Eurycea lucifuga
Bright orange to red, it has irregular black spots on the dorsum. The underside is white to yellowish with no markings. The body is elongated and slender with the prehensile tail making up more than 60 percent of the body length. The head is large and flattened and the eyes bulge out of the head. These salamanders range in size from 10 to 20 cm. Cave salamanders may produce a noxious secretion from the tail if bothered, and when attacked they will coil their body around and tuck their head underneath the base of the tail, then wriggle the tail to distract the predator. Using this common defensive strategy for many species, the cave salamander can regenerate the tail if part of it is broken off.
One of our more colorful salamanders, the cave salamander is found in karst habitat throughout the eastern two-thirds of Tennessee.
13 Comments
Thanks everyone!
WilliamCrain - salamanders are suffering declines in many regions...they live in such specialized habitats and are so sensitive to environmental pollution and climate change.
you do nice work with salamanders - fun little critters. are they on the increase ?
I like the second pic most.
No wonder why you earned the "Spotting of the day" award....congrats!!!
Awesome!
Wonderful creature Lisa and congratulations.
nice pic
congratulations it´s wonderfull pic from a marvelous animal
cobgratulations it´s wonderfull pic froma marvelous animal
Nice picture, congratulations
What a beautiful animal! And congratulations on the spotting of the day. :)
Spotting of the Day!
"The amphibious Cave salamander is an excellent climber whose scientific name means "avoid light” referring to its cave environment."
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Awesome find!! I must say I am pretty jealous :) Great photos as well, I always love the face shots!