Description

Spotted Dusky Salamanders are relatively common and found throughout the state (besides the northwest Mississippi River valley region). Habitats for this species are usually clean, alluvial seepages. Length is 3-5 inches (Powell et al., 2016). This species is often mistaken for the less-common D. valentinei. Spotted duskies are brown or gray with highly variable patterning. They are usually marked with dark red or orange blotching, but can be marked with yellowish colors or unmarked. Like many dusky salamanders, they have a small “earmark” just posterior of the eye. Individuals in coastal Mississippi and in other isolated watersheds may represent distinct undescribed species (Beamer and Lamb, 2020).

Identifying Traits

• Gray or brown body
• Highly variable pattern, usually reddish in color
• Compressed tail typical of Desmognathus sp.
• Light-colored or orange “ear” (stripe behind eye) typical of dusky salamanders

Habitat

Alluvial streams and ravines (Powell et al., 2016)

Behavior

Can take shelter under rocks and logs

Diet

Various small invertebrates