Western slimy salamander
Western slimy salamander | |
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Scientific classification | |
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Species: | P. albagula
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Binomial name | |
Plethodon albagula Grobman, 1944
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Synonyms | |
Plethodon glutinosus albagula |
The western slimy salamander (Plethodon albagula) is a species of salamander found in two distinct populations in the United States, one from Missouri to Oklahoma, and Arkansas, and another in south-central Texas. It is sometimes referred to as the whitethroat slimy salamander, because it was once considered to be a subspecies of the northern slimy salamander, Plethodon glutinosus.
Description
The western slimy salamander is typically black in color with white speckling. On some specimens, the white speckling turns into large, white blotches along the sides of their bodies. They have large, bulbous eyes and long tails.
Behavior
Primarily nocturnal, it is commonly found under rocks, or other ground debris in moist, wooded areas. Eggs are laid in damp protected locations. The species has no aquatic larval stage. They are a shy species of salamander and are not normally found of areas where humans frequent. They live in areas of high humidity levels.