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amphibian · salamander
Northern Slimy Salamander
Plethodon glutinosus — Plethodontidae
4.75–6.75 inches
IUCN
Least Concern
Federal (US)
None
Virginia
None
VWAP Tier
Not Listed
Habitat
Found in Virginia
How to identify
- Large for a plethodontid, 4.75–6.75 inches
- Glossy black above with scattered white or silver spots and flecks
- Dark gray or black belly
- Produces very sticky skin secretions
- Stout body
About this species
A large, glossy black salamander with white or silver spots and flecks, the northern slimy salamander is common in Virginia's forests under logs and in rock crevices. True to its name, it produces a thick, sticky mucus from its skin that is notoriously difficult to wash off — it was historically used as a substitute for glue. Like all plethodontids, it is lungless.
Often confused with
Eastern Red-backed Salamander
Red-backed salamanders are smaller with a red stripe or lead-gray coloring, not black with white spots
Spotted Salamander
Spotted salamanders are mole salamanders (Ambystomatidae) with rounder bodies, yellow spots, and are associated with vernal pools; slimy salamanders are slenderer plethodontids with white spots
Did you know
"The sticky secretion of slimy salamanders was once actually used as glue — it bonds strongly to skin and many surfaces and requires soap and repeated washing to remove."
Sightings & citizen science
Help document Virginia wildlife by logging your sightings on iNaturalist. Every observation builds the conservation data that researchers and rehabbers depend on.
View Northern Slimy Salamander observations on iNaturalist ↗Found one injured?
If you've found an injured or displaced Northern Slimy Salamander in Virginia, our triage guide walks you through what to do.