*The colored areas of the map above represent parishes with currently known records for the given species (Source: Jeff Boundy, LA Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries). By no means does it represent the full range of the species in the state, nor does it necessarily mean that a species can be found throughout the parish with the record. This is provided as a guide to where you might be able to find these species in the state and to aid in identification. A descriptive explanation of the range of each species can be found in the text below.
Other Common Names:
Subspecies: No subspecies recognized.
Adult Description: Medium-sized salamander (maximum 5.8”) with black coloration on top with scattered white to brassy spots, often more concentrated on sides compared to top, with a round tail in cross section. 15 costal grooves. Adult males possess oval-shaped mental glands. Pinkish-gray throat with a black or dark gray belly, usually without much spotting.
Similar Species:
Species Range: Central and north-central Louisiana north into south-central Arkansas.
Louisiana Range: Central and north-central Louisiana.
Adult Habitat: Well-drained, mature mixed pine-hardwood forests, often with little understory vegetation.
Natural History: Louisiana Slimy Salamanders are nocturnal and spend most of their lives underground. They likely prey upon a wide variety of invertebrates, with known prey including ants, beetles, and centipedes. Similar species have been known to prey upon other salamanders, even individuals of their own species. Like other slimy salamanders, Louisiana Slimy Salamanders produce noxious secretions, including a sticky distasteful substance from their tails that help deter some predators. Known predators of similar species include other salamanders and snakes, such as copperheads and gartersnakes. Little is known of the reproductive ecology of Louisiana Slimy Salamanders, but it is likely that egg-laying occurs in fall. Females may lay 20 or more creamy white eggs in a globular cluster, likely under rotting logs or in underground tunnels. Females guard their nests by coiling around their eggs. Eggs may hatch in 2–3 months, and the female and her offspring may stay near the nest site for a week or two before dispersing. Based on a similar species in Florida, maturity may occur in 2 years in both sexes, but females, and even some males, may take an additional year to breed. Maximum wild longevity is unknown, but a similar captive species lived 5.5 years.
Best Time and Place to Observe: Louisiana Slimy Salamanders records are sparse in Louisiana, and few are ever found at any one time, but look for them in cooler months under logs or other cover on slopes of shaded mature forests, particularly those adjacent to spring-fed upland streams.
Global Conservation Status: Louisiana Slimy Salamanders have a relatively wide distribution in the south-central United States and a presumed large population, and thus, are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Their NatureServe Global Conservation Status Rank is G3G4 (Vulnerable to Apparently Secure).
Federal Conservation Status: None.
Louisiana Conservation Status: Louisiana Slimy Salamanders have a ranking of S2 (imperiled because of rarity – 6-20 known extant populations) in Louisiana. In Louisiana, Louisiana Slimy Salamanders have a State Protection Status of ‘prohibited’, meaning possession or harvest of this species is illegal.
*** If you live in the range of this species in Louisiana and believe you may have observed this species please let me know (take a picture if possible), as there may be more unknown populations in the state.***
Author's Remarks: I observed this species first in Catahoula Parish in early 2015. In 2022 we found three at a new site in Rapides Parish. And in early 2023 we found a few more in Catahoula Parish at three different sites, including one new site.
