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Description: Three-Lined Salamanders are mid-sized,
slender, stream salamanders, ranging from 4 - 6.25 in (10
- 15.9 cm). They are tan to light yellow with a long
tail (2/3 of total body length) and three bold black longitudinal
stripes running from the eyes to the tail. The underside is
boldly marked with black and white marbling.
Range and Habitat: Three-Lined Salamanders are found throughout
the Southeast, except for southern Georgia and most of Peninsular
Florida. They may be found from the Coastal Plain to the mountains
but are absent from high elevation areas of the Appalachians.
Although nearly always found near water, Three-Lined Salamanders
may be found in a variety of habitats. Favorite habitats include
streams in bottomland hardwood forest and the edges of cypress
swamps.
Habits: Three-Lined Salamanders are most often found under
wood, rocks, or other cover along streams or black water swamps.
Most surface activity by this species occurs at night when they
emerge to search for insects and other invertebrates to eat. Three-Lined
Salamanders breed in the fall and winter but eggs have rarely
been observed, suggesting that females may lay their eggs in subterranean
sections of streams and seeps. Females attach eggs to the underside
of rocks or other cover and apparently stay with the eggs until
hatching. Larvae are aquatic and usually metamorphose in less
than one year.
Conservation Status: These salamanders are considered common
and are not protected in our region.
Pertinent Reference:
Carlin J. L. 1997. Morphological and genetic differentiation between
long-tailed (Eurycea longicauda) and three-lined (E.
guttolineata) salamanders (Caudata: Plethodontidae). Herpetologica
53(2): 206-217.
Account Author: Jonathan Slone, University of Georgia
- edited by J.D. Willson
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