Desmognathus ochrophaeus Cope, 1859

Size

Desmognathus ochrophaeus is a medium-sized salamander that reaches a maximum length of approximately 10 centimeters.

Dorsal Coloration

Adult individuals are generally brownish, with highly variable coloration patterns across the species. Most individuals have a light stripe running along their back, with a row of dark spots running down the center of this stripe, and dark pigmentation on either side of the stripe.

Limb Morphology

Like all species in the genus Desmognathus, this salamander has hind legs that are larger and stouter than its front legs.

Respiratory Trait

This species is a member of the lungless salamander family Plethodontidae; adult lungless salamanders must keep their skin moist to breathe.

Microhabitat

It is a somewhat terrestrial salamander, typically found under stones, logs, and bark near springs, streams, and other areas with water-saturated ground.

Geographic Range

The species occurs in the eastern United States, and also at the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve adjacent to the lower Niagara River in southern Ontario, Canada, plus a single separated disjunct population in southern Quebec, Canada.

Habitat Types

Its natural habitats include temperate forests, rivers, intermittent rivers, freshwater springs, and rocky areas.