Rich mountain salamander
A species of Woodland salamanders Scientific name : Plethodon ouachitae Genus : Woodland salamanders
Rich mountain salamander, A species of Woodland salamanders
Scientific name: Plethodon ouachitae
Genus: Woodland salamanders
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Stanley Trauth , used under CC-BY-SA-2.5 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The Rich Mountain salamander (Plethodon ouachitae) is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to the Ouachita Mountains in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. Its natural habitat is temperate forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
General Info
Lifespan
12-15 years
Diet
The diet of rich mountain salamander primarily comprises small invertebrates. This salamander selectively feeds on arthropods including spiders, beetles, and mites, utilizing its quick and agile hunting skills to catch prey.
Appearance
The rich mountain salamander is a small, slender salamander. Its skin is smooth and moist, varying in color from dark brown to black. The salamander's back and sides are distinctly marked with white to yellowish spots or blotches. Unlike some salamanders, it does not possess a tail fin. Male and female rich mountain salamander are similar in appearance, making them difficult to distinguish based on visual characteristics alone.
Behavior
Rich mountain salamander is a nocturnal species with a highly specialized behavior of reaching out and touching potential prey with a foreleg before lunging. They exhibit an annual cycle of aggression and territorial defense, particularly in males, which involves biting and elaborate standoffs. Predominantly solitary, rich mountain salamander breed in autumn, demonstrating an unusual combination of courtship and aggressive behaviors.
Population
Stable
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Amphibians Order
Salamanders Family
Lungless salamanders Genus
Woodland salamanders Species
Rich mountain salamander 
AI animal expert in your pocket
Scan QR code to download
