*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: Only the Southern Red Salamander, Pseudotriton ruber vioscai, occurs within Louisiana.
Adult Description: Stout-bodied salamander (maximum 6.4”) that is predominantly pinkish red to red on top but can be more brown or purplish in old individuals, with scattered black spots on upper surfaces of body and limbs. Snout and sides of head marked with many small black and white flecks unlike Mud Salamanders. Lower sides also with white flecks unlike Mud Salamanders. Tail becomes more laterally compressed towards tip. Iris gold as opposed to brown eyes of Mud Salamanders. 16 costal grooves. Belly is pale to pink with no, few, or many dark spots and markings.
Similar Species:
Species Range: Composite range of all subspecies from New York west to Ohio, south to extreme eastern Louisiana, and east to northern Florida.
Louisiana Range: Known from recent records only from Washington Parish. Historic records from West Feliciana have not been substantiated with additional observations.
Adult Habitat: Spring-fed streams and seeps on or near base of mixed pine-hardwood slopes.
Natural History: Red Salamanders are surface-active at night, spending the day concealed under surface cover objects, but retreating further underground in dry and cold extremes. They are known to prey upon a wide variety of invertebrates, as well as smaller salamanders. Red Salamanders produce toxic skin secretions, especially on their back, which likely thwart many predators. However, snakes are known predators, and birds and small mammals may also take them opportunistically. Red Salamanders lay 29–130 eggs in late summer or fall under submerged objects or in underground cavities in or near their seeps and springs. Females guard their nests, and hatching likely takes place 2–3 months later. Larvae may take 1–2 years to metamorphose. Maturity may occur in about 4 years in males. Females may require 5–6 years. Maximum wild longevity is unknown, but a captive lived over 20 years.
Best Time and Place to Observe: Red Salamanders are prohibited from take in Louisiana and known from only around a dozen sites. It is best to look for them in cooler months by uncovering woody debris and logs in appropriate habitat.
Global Conservation Status: Red Salamanders have a relatively wide distribution in eastern North America 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: Red Salamanders have a ranking of S1 (critically imperiled because of extreme rarity – 5 or fewer known extant populations) in Louisiana. In Louisiana, Red 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 found this species in Louisiana for the first time in late November 2018 in Washington Parish. We found two young individuals and four larva, one of which was small and the other three relatively large. I captured a couple individuals in October 2019 and 2023 as well, including my first large adults. I have seen many individuals in Tennessee and elsewhere.
