(Plethodon glutinosus)

{Northern Slimy Salamander}

IDENTIFICATION: A large, blue-black colored woodland salamander with white speckles, a uniformly colored blue-black belly, and a cylindrical tail. Its head is distinctly broader than the neck. It is often confused with the Jefferson, blue-spotted, and unstriped phase of the redback salamanders, however a combination of characters including large size, white speckles, cylindrical tail, and extremely slimy skin secretions help distinguish it from other Connecticut salamanders. Adults 110-150 mm total length.

The northern slimy salamander is a large, Appalachian species reaching its northeastern range limit in western Fairfield County, a few miles east of the New York border. This salamander becomes more common, and less habitat specific in New York's Hudson Valley and even more abundant west of the Hudson River. In Connecticut, this species is restricted to old second growth forest, characterized by steep rocky slopes, rotten ogs, and a heavy duff layer. Loss of old second growth forest is the major conservation issue confronting this salamander in Connecticut. The slimy salamander is a "Threatened Species" in Connecticut and is strictly protected on all state lands.

Salamanders | Amphibians and Reptiles in Connecticut