Northern Dusky Salamander

How to identify

• Light line from the back of the eye to the angle of the jaw
• Keeled (ridged) tail — laterally compressed and knife-edged
• Variable brown, gray, or tan above, often with a dorsal pattern that fades with age
• Medium size, 2.5–5.5 inches
• Found under rocks at stream edges and seeps

About this species

One of Virginia's most common stream-edge salamanders, the northern dusky salamander is found under rocks and debris along the margins of springs, seeps, and small streams. They are variable in color and can be difficult to distinguish from related dusky salamander species, but the light line from eye to jaw and the keeled tail are consistent features.

Often confused with

Did you know

"Dusky salamanders have unusually strong hind legs relative to their body size, which allows them to jump impressively for a salamander — a behavior used to escape predators at stream edges."

Sightings & citizen science

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