Salamanders Of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania, with its dense woodland and wetland habitats, makes a suitable home for a number of salamander species. The state has 22 native species that represent five different families of salamander and 11 genera. The native species range from a few inches to over a foot in length and live in a range of natural habitats.

  1. Woodland Salamanders

    • Pennsylvania is home to five species in the genus Plethodon, more commonly known as woodland salamanders. The largest of these species is the northern slimy salamander which is common in the state. Werhles salamander and the northern red-back salamander are both abundant in the state. Both the valley and ridge salamander, and the northern ravine are species of special concern in the state.

    Mole Salamanders

    • Mole salamanders are members of the genus Abystoma and are so called because they dig burrows in which they live and hide. The state is home to four species in this genus. The most common is the spotted salamander which is found throughout the state. The Jefferson and marbled salamanders are both species of special concern in the state and are less common. The tiger salamander is a native species but may be locally extinct in the Pennsylvania.

    Dusky Salamanders

    • The genus Desmognathus, or dusky salamanders, is represented by three species in Pennsylvania. All three species are small slender salamanders that are dark in color and live a semi-aquatic lifestyle. The northern dusky, seal and mountain dusky salamanders are all considered abundant in the state.

    Mud Salamanders

    • Mud salamanders belong to the genus Pseudotriton, which consists of species that favor muddy marshland habitats with soft earth in which to burrow. The eastern mud salamander is a small red species that is listed as endangered in the state. The northern red salamander is similar in appearance and size but is more common and widespread.

    Brook Salamanders

    • Brook salamanders prefer the small, slow-moving waters of streams and shallow ponds. The northern two-lined salamander is a small species which is considered common in Pennsylvania. The long-tailed salamander is also an abundant species in the state and is a little larger than the two-lined species.

    Other Salamanders

    • The mud puppy and hellbender salamanders are the two largest species living in the state, both growing over a foot in length. Both salamanders are considered species of concern in Pennsylvania as is the four-toed salamander. The green salamander is a small native species which is listed as threatened. Both the northern spring salamander and eastern red-spotted newt are small species which are common in Pennsylvania.