Description: The species is distinct from other lungless salamanders because of its large size, elongated trunk and short legs. The Red Hills salamander grows to a total length of about 8 inches, its body color is dark brown with no distinct markings and it breathes through its moist skin.
Habitat: Habitat for the Red Hills salamander consists of mature, closed-canopy hardwood forest that are located on the steep slopes and moist ravines of the Tallahatta, Nanafalia and Hatchetigbee geologic formations. Here, an erosion-resistant limestone layer often outcrops in ledges above bluffs and ravines, with an underlying layer of siltstones, claystones, sandstones and clays exposed on the slopes below the limestone. The subterranean siltstone layer retains water, which is important for maintaining the suitable moisture required by the lungless salamander. In addition, loamy soils, deciduous leaf litter and the forest canopy cover provide shade and moisture, which are important habitat elements to prevent the drying of the forest floor.
The Red Hills salamander inhabits burrows and fissures within these formations. Burrow entrances are small, dime to nickel-sized, oval in shape and typically have smooth rounded edges. Evidence from field and laboratory research indicates the entire Red Hills salamander life cycle, including breeding, egg-laying, hatching and larval development, may occur entirely within these burrows. Typically, these nocturnal salamanders will spend large amounts of time, mostly at night, in burrow entrances with only their heads visible, as they patiently wait to ambush and eat invertebrates. Very rarely will more than their front legs be exposed outside of the burrow.
Range: The known range of the Red Hills salamander of approximately 60,000 acres of habitat is limited to the west by the Alabama River and to the east by the Conecuh River, within the Red Hills Region in portions of Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Butler, Monroe and Wilcox counties.
Diet: The salamanders rarely leave their burrows, and prey on invertebrates like snails, insects, spiders and earthworms - both within and near the burrow entrance.
Reproduction: Due to their secretive nature, mating behavior and dispersal capabilities of the Red Hills salamander remain largely unknown.
Status: Listed as Endangered because its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 3,327 km2, its population is considered to be severely fragmented, and there is continuing decline in the area and quality of its habitat in Alabama, USA.
Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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