Cave salamander
Cave salamanders, also known as spotted-tail salamanders, are intriguing amphibians found primarily around the entrances of caves in the eastern United States. These small creatures, belonging to the genus Eurycea, typically measure between 4 3/4 and 7 inches in length and are characterized by their long, thin bodies and prehensile tails, which aid in climbing rocky surfaces. Their skin exhibits a variety of hues, including dull yellow, reddish-orange, and bright orange-red, all adorned with distinctive small black spots.
Cave salamanders prefer moist, dark habitats, often residing under logs and rocks close to cave entrances. They inhabit regions including Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, West Virginia, and northern Alabama, with Mammoth Cave in Kentucky being a notable location for sightings. As carnivores, these salamanders primarily feed on small invertebrates, with adults consuming earthworms, mites, and slugs. The reproductive process involves unique courtship behaviors, where males transfer pheromones to females, leading to the laying of eggs in water within caves. The life cycle of cave salamanders includes a larval stage that can last from 6 to 18 months before they undergo metamorphosis and transition to land. They have an average lifespan of about 9 years, contributing to the biodiversity of their cave ecosystems.
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Cave salamander
Cave salamanders, also called spotted-tail salamanders, live around the entrances of caves throughout the eastern United States. They live in moist, dark places, like under logs and rocks outside cave entrances.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Urodela
Family: Plethodontidae
Genus: Eurycea
Species: Lucifuga
Like other lungless salamanders, cave salamanders grow to between 4 3/4 and 7 inches (125 to 181 millimeters) long. They have long, thin bodies with long prehensile tails, which help them grip and climb on the rocks of their cave homes. Their skin may be dull yellow, reddish-orange, or bright orange-red but all have small black spotted markings.
Cave salamanders live near cave entrances. They are terrestrial, or ground-dwelling animals. Although usually found within the cave walls, these creatures are also seen under logs and stones near the cave.
Cave salamanders live in a small area of the central United States. They inhabit areas of Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, West Virginia, and northern Alabama. Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is a likely place to see a cave salamander. People visiting this popular tourist attraction often see cave salamanders in and near the cave entrance.
Like other amphibians, cave salamanders are carnivorous, or meat-eating. They feed mainly on small invertebrates. The larve eat small snails, insects, and spiders. Adult cave salamanders eat earthworms, mites, and slugs, while snakes and birds of prey feed mainly on them.
A male cave salamander rubs his snout on a female to initiate mating. This transfers pheromones between the salamanders. Females lay 49 to 87 eggs in the water deep in a cave and incubate them for 10 to 20 days. The eggs hatch sooner if the weather is warm. The young develop into larval salamanders. Many larval salamanders are aquatic and complete the metamorphosis process in 6 to 18 months. As they grow and change, or metamorphose, into adult salamanders, they move out of the water onto land.
The life span for cave salamanders is about 9 years.
Bibliography
Parnell, Sarah. "Eurycea Lucifuga." Animal Diversity Web, 2020, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Eurycea‗lucifuga. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024.