Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

Uncommon in the northern piedmont in NC (and virtually absent in the southern piedmont), Redbacks occur in the northern mountains, and in various parts of the coastal plain. They're found under rocks, logs, and leaf litter in cool, moist forested habitats.
Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Under cover board in mixed pine/hardwoods in Duke Forest
Durham Co., NC
11 Mar 2012

Some individuals show a strong reddish stripe down the back.

Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Under cover board in mixed pine/hardwoods in Duke Forest
Durham Co., NC
11 Mar 2012

Some Red-backed Salamanders lack the reddish stripe and are referred to as "lead-backed" salamanders.

Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Under cover board in mixed pine/hardwoods in Duke Forest
Durham Co., NC
10 Feb 2013

Both color forms occur together under the same cover boards.

Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Under cover board in mixed pine/hardwoods in Duke Forest
Durham Co., NC
11 Mar 2012

Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Under cover board in mixed pine/hardwoods in Duke Forest
Durham Co., NC
11 Mar 2012

Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Under cover board in mixed pine/hardwoods in Duke Forest
Durham Co., NC
11 Mar 2012

Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Under cover board in mixed pine/hardwoods in Duke Forest
Durham Co., NC
11 Mar 2012

Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Under cover board in mixed pine/hardwoods in Duke Forest
Durham Co., NC
11 Mar 2012

Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Under cover board in mixed pine/hardwoods in Duke Forest
Durham Co., NC
11 Mar 2012

Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Under leaf litter in mixed pine/hardwoods in Duke Forest
Durham Co., NC
9 Feb 2008

According to Jeff Beane, "this individual one of those intermediates between the typical "redback" and "leadback" phases." I've found all 3 forms under a single cover board in Durham.

Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)) Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Under leaf litter in mixed pine/hardwoods in Duke Forest
Durham Co., NC
9 Feb 2008

Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Under leaf litter in mixed pine/hardwoods in Duke Forest
Durham Co., NC
9 Feb 2008

Red-backed Individual #2229
Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Under cover board in mixed pine/hardwoods in Duke Forest
Durham Co., NC
20 Mar 2011

Individual #2219
Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Under cover board in mixed pine/hardwoods in Duke Forest
Durham Co., NC
20 Mar 2011

Individual #2222
Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Under cover board in mixed pine/hardwoods in Duke Forest
Durham Co., NC
20 Mar 2011

Individual #2231
Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Under cover board in mixed pine/hardwoods in Duke Forest
Durham Co., NC
20 Mar 2011

Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Under cover board in mixed pine/hardwoods in Duke Forest
Durham Co., NC
10 Feb 2013
Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Under cover board in mixed pine/hardwoods in Duke Forest
Durham Co., NC
10 Feb 2013

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Created on ... Feb 11, 2008 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com