Eastern red-backed salamander

Description:

The red back (or redback or red-backed) salamander is a small, hardy woodland salamander. It inhabits wooded slopes in Eastern North America; west to Missouri; south to North Carolina; and north from southern Quebec and the Maritime Provinces in Canada to Minnesota. It is also known as the Northern redback salamander to distinguish it from the Southern redback salamander (Plethodon serratus). The red-backed salamander is found mostly in two color variations: the nominate red variety, 'redback', as well as a darker phase known as the 'leadback' which lacks most or all of the red pigmentation found in the red phase. However, one can also find a variety of other color variations (e.g., stripe of yellow, orange, white, or an uncommon erythristic morph, which is completely reddish-orange). (information from Wikipedia)

Habitat:

Dense woodland, near a lake

Notes:

While going through my friend's wedding rehearsal, there was a bit of down time for everyone. During this break, my daughter (age 4 at the time) and I poked around a nearby log pile and found this gem. I was thrilled to find anything at all, and my daughter was excited to hold a salamander. It was a very good day for us.