Description: Coloration in this species (2.5 to 4.5 inches in length) is highly variable. They have a round tail and a light line from the eye to the angle of the jaw. Some individuals may have a stripe down the back that can vary in color from yellow to orange, red, or brown. This stripe can be irregular or straight. Other individuals may have spotting or flecking on the back instead of a dorsal stripe and others, especially males, maybe dark with little or no patterning. Some individuals may exhibit red legs or cheek patches.

Habitat: Typically found along streams, in seepage areas, and on wet rock faces. Some may be encountered far from water; those at higher elevations tend to be more terrestrial than those found lower levels.

Range: The species is endemic to the Appalachian Mountains within North Carolina in the south-eastern United States. Subranges it is found in include the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Found in these States: NC | TN

Diet: Forest floor invertebrates make up this species' diet.

Reproduction: Females deposit their eggs under moss, rocks, or logs or under logs in or near flowing water. The female remains with her eggs until they hatch. Hatchling salamanders emerge from their eggs with external gills and spend up to 10 months as fully aquatic larvae before transforming into adults.

Status: Listed as Least Concern since, although its extent of occurrence is less than 20,000 km2, it occurs in an area of extensive, suitable habitat which appears not to be under significant threat and it has a presumed large population.

Taxonomy: