Southern Two-lined Salamander
Eurycea cirrigera
Description
Bronze, yellowish salamander with a slender body. Dark stripe runs along each side of body from the eye to the tail. Dorsally, between the two stripes may have dark specking running down center. Below side stripes may be pale or speckled. Belly is yellowish and may be almost translucent. Larvae are dark with two rows of light spots dorsally, 4 limbs, and short external gills.
Stats
Size
2 ½ – 3 ¼ inches
Status
Common
Similar Species
Redback salamander (lacks dorsal lines)
Diet
Feed on a variety of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates.
Habitat
A brook side species lying under cover of flat rocks at the edge of water. Small, clean flowing stream is preferred habitat.
Reproduction
Breeding takes place on land in spring. Female will deposit 20-200 eggs on the underside of large flat stones at the edge of a stream. Young are tiny, aquatic, and have feathery gills.