Eurycea bislineata
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: Animalia |
| Phylum: Chordata |
| Class: Amphibia |
| Order: Urodela |
| Family: Plethodontidae |
| Genus: Eurycea |
| Species: Eurycea bislineata |
Conservation Status
Identifying Features
Northern two-lined salamander are golden yellow to brown in color, with two black stripes that run down from each eye to tail. They have a pale yellow belly, a slender body, and grow to around 2-5 inches in length.
Habitat & Range
Northern two-lined salamander live in rocky creeks, seeps, and damp forests in northeastern North America. As larvae, they are aquatic and can be found flowing waters of creeks and streams. As adults, they are terrestrial and can be found in leaf litters or along stream banks.
Behavior
Due to their size and location, northern two-lined salamander are threatened by a variety of predators. Some salamanders may choose to remain motionless when contacted by a predator, with their tail held above their body. In some cases, they may choose to lose parts of the tail to survive the encounter with a predator.
Life Cycle
Northern two-lined salamanders will mate during the fall after exhibiting complex courtship rituals. In the spring, females lay clutches of eggs that are attached to the underside of rocks in flowing water. During the incubation period, females will guard their eggs until they hatch into aquatic larvae.
Featured image by James Dake.