HerpIndiana

Long-tailed Salamander (Eurycea longicauda)

Adult from Wayne County

Description

Coloration: A medium-sized, orange or yellowish salamander with a long tail. Long-tailed Salamanders have a dorsal coloration ranging from yellow to different shades of orange. Dark pigmentation mottled throughout the dorsum, especially concentrated on the sides. This continues onto the tail and is often arranged in bars. Ventral coloration is light and yellowish (Minton 2001, pg. 80-81).

Size: Long-tailed Salamanders grow to be 4.5-6.5 inches in total length (Minton 2001, pg. 81).

Larvae: Larvae are similar to those of Eurycea cirrigera, although they lack the paired white spots. Hatchlings have some dark pigmentation, but this increases with age. They have a stream-lined body for life in faster water (Petranka 1998, pg. 254). Transformation occurs at around 2-2.5 inches in total length (Minton 2001, pg. 81).

Eggs: Eggs of this species are rarely observed. They are yellow or whitish with a jelly-like surrounding. When these eggs are found, they are typically discovered in caves or similar habitats, suggesting that females lay eggs in dark, damp places (Petranka 1998, pg. 256).

Distribution

Long-tailed Salamanders can be found in most of the southern half of Indiana, with the exception of much of the southwestern side (Minton 2001, pg. 81).

Activity

Long-tailed Salamanders are probably active from early April to late October (Minton 2001, pg. 82).

Breeding Season: Long-tailed Salamanders breed during the fall, and eggs are laid soon thereafter (Minton 2001, pg. 82).

Taxonomy

The Long-tailed Salamander (Eurycea longicauda) belongs to the subspecies longicauda. It belongs to the genus Eurycea, which is represented in Indiana by 2 other species, and is in the family Plethodontidae.

Natural History

Habitat: Long-tailed Salamanders, like the Two-lined Salamanders, are primarily creatures of rocky brooks. They are also encountered at the mouths and inside of caves (Minton 2001, pg. 81). Most Long-tailed Salamanders I have observed have been under cover—usually rocks. However, in certain areas, they can be found often by shining crevices in rocky outcrops.

Feeding: Larval Long-tailed Salamanders feed on a variety of aquatic invertebrates, and adults feed on an assortment of terrestrial invertebrates (Petranka 1998, pg. 256-257).

Breeding: Little is known about the breeding of these salamanders though courtship has been partially described as a male rubbing its snout on the female (Petranka 1998, pg. 255).