Van dyke's salamander
A species of Woodland salamanders Scientific name : Plethodon vandykei Genus : Woodland salamanders
Van dyke's salamander, A species of Woodland salamanders
Scientific name: Plethodon vandykei
Genus: Woodland salamanders
Content
Description General Info
Photo By josegarrido , used under CC-BY-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
Van Dyke's salamander (Plethodon vandykei) is a small woodland salamander in the family Plethodontidae, the lungless salamanders. These animals breathe through their skin and are largely terrestrial. Compared to other salamanders in Plethodon it is relatively stocky with long legs. Usually associated with streams, seepages, and rock outcrops, it is endemic to Washington where it is found in a limited number of small, isolated populations.
General Info
Lifespan
10-15 years
Diet
Van dyke's salamander primarily feeds on small invertebrates, with a special preference for ants and beetles. Its carnivorous nature is complemented with occasional consumption of centipedes and spiders, designing a diet rich in proteins, crucial for its growth and survival in its habitat.
Appearance
Van dyke's salamander is a small-sized salamander with a slender, cylindrical body and smooth skin. This species is black in color, with intricate swirling patterns of blue-green or green-yellow on its dorsum. It lacks tails and wings, but features short limbs with round, padded digits. There's no significant difference in appearance due to age or gender.
Behavior
Van dyke's salamander exhibits nocturnal behavior, hiding in densely vegetated areas during the day and emerging to forage at night. This solitary salamander's small home range reflects its sedentary nature. Not known for aggression, van dyke's salamander will nonetheless perform threat displays if territorial boundaries are violated, by arching its back and raising its tail.
Population
Stable
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Amphibians Order
Salamanders Family
Lungless salamanders Genus
Woodland salamanders Species
Van dyke's salamander 
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