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Aneides aeneus
The Green Salamander (Aneides aneus) is an extremely unique member of the lungless salamanders, Plethodontidae and is the only member of the Aneides genus that inhabits the Eastern United States (all other Aneides salamanders are found in the west). Rarely seen in the field, the Green Salamander is an extremely habitat-specific species that is seldom found away from its preferred surroundings: moist, shaded rock crevices.
This species of Aneides is found almost exclusively in an environment following these guild-lines: A. aeneus prefers the crevices of rocks on the sides of cliffs or other outcroppings. Most crevices in which A. aeneus is observed, there is little to no sun light allowed in.
Aneides aeneus is known to inhabit both the Alleghenies and Cumberland Plateau, reaching from southwestern Pennsylvania to northern Alabama and northeastern Mississippi. Isolated populations are known at the Blue Ridge Escarpment at the junction of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Other disjunct populations are known in central Tennessee.
Spotted on Jul 7, 2012
Submitted on Jul 10, 2012
1 Comment
These little guys have square toes to help them cling to the rocks!