Long-tailed Salamander

Fascinating facts about the Long-tailed Salamander

• The subspecies E. l. longicauda was described by Green in 1818; its body color varies from yellow to orange-red to red with random black spots.
• The typical adult measures about 50 mm (2 in) from snout to vent, and its tail is about 72 mm (2.8 in) long.
• From November through February, the dark-sided subspecies lays 7 mm (0.28 in) diameter eggs that hatch into 10 mm (0.39 in) larvae; within seven months they grow to 23–28 mm (0.91–1.10 in), showing how quickly life can accelerate in the hidden streams of Appalachia.
• Males reach sexual maturity at 31–43 mm (1.2–1.7 in) SVL and females at 33–43 mm (1.3–1.7 in), but the biggest individuals can hit 55 mm (2.2 in), illustrating that even within a single species size can vary enough to influence breeding roles.
• Despite localized impacts from strip mining and acid drainage, the species boasts a population likely exceeding 100,000 and occupies protected areas, proving that resilient amphibians can thrive even when their underground homes are threatened.

At a glance

About the Long-tailed Salamander

The long-tailed salamander, Eurycea longicauda, lives in the twilight zones of Appalachian caves and also inhabits springs and surrounding forest streams. Its body color varies from yellow to orange-red with random black spots, and it has a tail that averages 72 mm long compared with a 50 mm snout-vent length. The subspecies E. l. melanopleura lays eggs about 7 mm in diameter; the larvae hatch in January–March at about 10 mm SVL and metamorphose seven months later at 23–28 mm SVL. Males become sexually mature at 31–43 mm SVL and females at 33–43 mm SVL, with the largest individuals reaching 55 mm SVL.

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