Allegheny Mountain dusky salamander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Allegheny Mountain dusky salamander |
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The Allegheny Mountain dusky salamander (scientific name: Desmognathus ochrophaeus) is a type of salamander. It belongs to the lungless salamander family, called Plethodontidae. You can find this salamander in the eastern United States and southern Quebec, Canada. It lives in places like cool forests, near rivers, and around springs or rocky areas.
About the Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander
This salamander is a medium-sized animal. It can grow to be about 10 centimeters (4 inches) long. Adult salamanders are usually brownish. They can have many different patterns and colors on their skin. Often, they have a light stripe running down their back. This stripe might have a line of dark spots in the middle. Darker colors usually appear on the sides of the stripe.
Like other salamanders in its group, its back legs are bigger and stronger than its front legs. These salamanders are called "lungless" because they do not have lungs. Instead, they breathe through their skin. This means their skin must always stay wet. You can often find them under rocks, logs, or tree bark. They like to be near springs, streams, or other wet ground.
Protecting This Salamander
The Allegheny Mountain dusky salamander is a protected animal. In Ontario, Canada, the Endangered Species Act of 2007 helps protect it. This law makes it illegal to kill, hurt, or own these salamanders.
The Niagara Parks Commission also protects them on their land. The Niagara Parks Act makes it against the law to hunt or bother any animal there without a special permit. Groups are working to help this species survive. A special team has been created to find ways to protect and help the Allegheny Mountain dusky salamander. They also work to protect the related Northern dusky salamander (D. fuscus).
Images for kids
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An Allegheny Mountain dusky salamander.
