Pigeon Mountain Salamander
VU

Pigeon Mountain Salamander

Plethodon petraeus

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigeon_Mountain_salamander

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Pigeon Mountain Salamander faces severe habitat fragmentation due to limestone quarrying and cave disturbance on Pigeon Mountain in northwestern Georgia. Its extremely limited range makes the species particularly vulnerable to local environmental changes, including groundwater pollution and altered cave microclimates from human activities. Climate change poses an additional threat by potentially disrupting the cool, moist conditions essential for this cave-associated species.

Threat summary

Habitat

This salamander is endemic to limestone caves and associated rocky outcrops on Pigeon Mountain in Walker County, Georgia. It inhabits the twilight zones of caves and crevices in limestone formations, requiring cool, humid conditions with stable temperatures year-round.

Other threatened species in Plethodontidae

Red-legged SalamanderVU

Red-legged Salamander

Plethodon shermani

Unknown
Tennessee Cave SalamanderVU

Tennessee Cave Salamander

Gyrinophilus palleucus

Unknown
Bolitoglossa lozanoiVU

Bolitoglossa lozanoi

Unknown
Fourche Mountain SalamanderVU

Fourche Mountain Salamander

Plethodon fourchensis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Pigeon Mountain Salamander classified as Vulnerable?
Pigeon Mountain Salamander is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Pigeon Mountain Salamander faces severe habitat fragmentation due to limestone quarrying and cave disturbance on Pigeon Mountain in northwestern Georgia. Its extremely limited range makes the species particularly vulnerable to local environmental changes, including groundwater pollution and altered cave microclimates from human activities. Climate change poses an additional threat by potentially disrupting the cool, moist conditions essential for this cave-associated species.
Where does Pigeon Mountain Salamander live?
Pigeon Mountain Salamander occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Pigeon Mountain Salamander?
The main threats to Pigeon Mountain Salamander are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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