Valley and ridge salamander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Valley and ridge salamander |
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The valley and ridge salamander (Plethodon hoffmani) is a cool type of salamander. It belongs to a family called Plethodontidae. This means it doesn't have lungs! It breathes through its skin. This special salamander lives only in the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States.
Why is it Called That?
This salamander is named after a biologist. His name was Richard L. Hoffman. He was from Virginia. Mr. Hoffman found the very first one of these salamanders in 1954. That's why it's named hoffmani!
What Does it Look Like?
The valley and ridge salamander lives on land. It is a long, thin salamander. It can grow to be about 80 to 137 millimeters (3 to 5.4 inches) long. It has short legs and a long tail. It also has 21 grooves along its sides.
Its back is dark brown or black. It has small white or shiny spots. Its belly is dark with blotchy patterns. These patterns are especially noticeable on its chin.
Where Does it Live?
This salamander's home is in hardwood forests. These forests are found in the valley and ridge area of the Appalachian Mountains. They can live up to 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) high.
You can find them from the Susquehanna River Valley in Pennsylvania. They live south to the New River in northwestern Virginia. They are also in eastern West Virginia and western Maryland.
How Does it Live?
These salamanders live in forests with good soil drainage. They like mature hardwood forests. They lay their eggs in damp, hidden spots. The eggs hatch directly into baby salamanders. There is no larval stage in water.
You can often find them under logs and rocks. They handle cool weather quite well. When it's wet, they look for food in the fallen leaves. If the ground gets dry, they go back to damp, covered places. They prefer slightly drier slopes than their close relative, the red-backed salamander.
