About Plethodon jordani Blatchley, 1901
Species Identity
The red-cheeked salamander (Plethodon jordani Blatchley, 1901) has a uniform steely grey body, with distinct red, orange, or yellow patches on the sides of its head.
Similar Species Distinction
The imitator salamander (Desmognathus imitator), which is thought to be a mimic of this species, looks very similar, but can be distinguished by a pale line that connects its jaw to its eye and its more robust hind legs.
General Distribution
This salamander occurs in mountainous regions of the southeastern United States. Most of its populations are located along the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, with isolated separate populations found in Rabun County, Georgia.
Altitude Range
Its altitude range spans 210 to 1950 metres (700 to 6400 ft), though a small number of specimens have been recorded below 600 metres (2,000 ft). Almost its entire altitude range falls within the boundaries of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Habitat Forest Types
It is a terrestrial species that lives in both hardwood and coniferous forests, and is especially common in Southern Appalachian spruce–fir forest.
Habitat Microenvironment
It is abundant in areas with mossy ground cover, leaf litter, and large boulders.
