Blue ridge graycheek salamander
A species of Woodland salamanders Scientific name : Plethodon amplus Genus : Woodland salamanders
Blue ridge graycheek salamander, A species of Woodland salamanders
Scientific name: Plethodon amplus
Genus: Woodland salamanders
Content
Description General Info
Photo By aredoubles , used under CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The Blue Ridge gray-cheeked salamander (Plethodon amplus) is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae endemic to the United States. It is one of 55 species in the genus Plethodon and one of the last to be described of its cogeners. Its natural habitat is temperate forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
General Info
Lifespan
6-10 years
Diet
Blue ridge graycheek salamander subsists primarily on a diet of small invertebrates, including insects and crustaceans. This species displays a preference for soil-dwelling prey, which is often captured within its forest habitat.
Appearance
Blue ridge graycheek salamander is a small, slender salamander with smooth skin. It is predominantly black, with distinctive orange-red cheek patches and a belly peppered with irregularly shaped white spots. While there are no significant gender differences in appearance, juveniles tend to have brighter coloration. It lacks wings, horns or a prominent tail, and instead has four short limbs, each ending in four digits.
Behavior
Blue ridge graycheek salamander exhibits a salamander's typical nocturnal foraging behavior, but its distinctiveness lies in its reproductive strategy. Unlike others, both sexes of blue ridge graycheek salamander defend unique territories year-round, especially during breeding season. The species is mostly solitary except when mating or guarding eggs, showcasing an exceptional combination of solitary and communal behaviors.
Population
Decreasing
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Amphibians Order
Salamanders Family
Lungless salamanders Genus
Woodland salamanders Species
Blue ridge graycheek salamander 
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