*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 5.6”) with black coloration on top with a variable amount of scattered white spots, but often more concentrated on lower 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: Extreme western Kentucky south through western Tennessee, Mississippi, and into southeastern Louisiana, and east to western Alabama.
Louisiana Range: Florida Parishes and Ascension Parish.
Adult Habitat: Both upland and bottomland forested habitats from hardwoods to mixed pine-hardwoods to pine-dominated sites.
Natural History: Mississippi Slimy Salamanders are nocturnal and spend most of their lives underground. They likely prey upon a wide variety of invertebrates. Similar species have been known to prey upon other salamanders, even individuals of their own species. Like other slimy salamanders, Mississippi 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 Mississippi Slimy Salamanders, but it is likely that egg-laying occurs in late summer. 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: Mississippi Slimy Salamanders are most easily found from fall through spring under logs when soil moisture is adequate.
Global Conservation Status: Mississippi Slimy Salamanders are not directly assessed by the IUCN. However, they have assessed the Slimy Salamander, which this species previously was placed, and they have a relatively wide distribution in the eastern 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 G5 (Secure).
Federal Conservation Status: None.
Louisiana Conservation Status: Mississippi Slimy Salamanders do not have any special status in Louisiana.
Author's Remarks: I have found this species commonly in areas near Hammond (Tangipahoa Parish). I have also found a few at Bogue Chitto State Park in Washington Parish, a few in the Tunica Hills in West Feliciana Parish, on private land in East Feliciana Parish, a few at Lake Ramsay WMA in St. Tammany Parish, a few at Narthlake Nature Center in St. Tammany Parish, a few at Big Branch Marsh NWR, and several at Lee Memorial Forest in Washington Parish.
