Red-legged Salamander
Plethodon shermani
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-legged_salamander
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
The Red-legged Salamander faces significant pressure from habitat fragmentation and degradation of its specialized montane forest environment. Climate change poses an increasing threat as rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns affect the cool, moist microhabitats essential for this species' survival. Logging activities and forest management practices that reduce canopy cover and alter soil moisture regimes directly impact population viability across its limited Appalachian range.
Habitat
The Red-legged Salamander inhabits cool, moist deciduous and mixed forests in the southern Appalachian Mountains, typically found under logs, rocks, and leaf litter in elevations ranging from 300 to 1,500 meters. This species requires stable soil moisture and temperature conditions, favoring north-facing slopes and areas with dense canopy cover that maintain consistent microclimate conditions.
Other threatened species in Plethodontidae
Threatened in United States
Frequently asked questions
Why is Red-legged Salamander classified as Vulnerable?
Where does Red-legged Salamander live?
What are the main threats to Red-legged Salamander?
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