Cave Salamander
Eurycea lucifuga
Description
A medium slender orange salamander with black spots. Head is flatter and wider than longtail salamanders. Body is more flattened with 12-14 costal grooves. Typically orange or reddish with scattered black spots from head to tail. Limbs are long and spotted. Belly is cream to white. Iris is bronze. Larvae are grayish brown with four limbs, external gills, and two rows of light spots. May be confused with the longtail salamander.
Stats
Size
4 – 6 inches
Status
Somewhat common
Similar Species
Longtail salamander (has vertical bars on tail)
Diet
Arthropods and invertebrates.
Habitat
In and around cave entrances. Near seepages or spring fed sources. Others have been reported in crevices of large rock bluffs.
Reproduction
Mating occurs in summer to autumn. Females lay 60-100 round, white eggs (not in a jelly like mass) singly on the underside of logs and rocks in underground springs or caves. Eggs may hatch in late autumn or winter. Larval stage lasts 6-18 months.