Description: The Ocmulgee slimy salamander is primarily black in coloration, with white or yellow circles distributed across the body, increasing in density on the underside. The extremities tend to be slightly lighter than the torso, and a total length of 4.5 to 7.0 inches including tail length, is considered typical. Like all lungless salamanders, Ocmulgee slimy salamanders have four toes on their forelimbs, and five on the back-limbs. The slimy salamanders derive their name from a slimy, sometimes sticky secretion produced by skin glands. As lungless salamanders, Ocmulgee slimy salamanders breathe through their skin and through mucous membranes in their throats, these methods require them to remain moist. Despite this, they lack a larval aquatic stage, and hatch from terrestrial eggs immediately capable of locomotion.
Habitat: This species is a terrestrial species that inhabits the forest floor. During the day individuals use rocks and logs as cover objects or move into underground retreats. This species is largely nocturnal, and their activity levels are likely related to the availability of sufficient moisture.
Range: As may be guessed from their common name, P. ocmulgee are exclusively known from the counties surrounding the Ocmulgee River drainage basin, primarily the lower segment in the coastal plains of southern Georgia. The Ocmulgee river spans a large portion of the state of Georgia, and provides drinking water for dozens of communities as well as water for agriculture and energy production. The pollution these sources feed into the river may endanger the Ocmulgee slimy salamanders already limited habitat. The Ocmulgee is the westernmost tributary of the Altamaha River, and the salamanders have also been observed in counties surrounding the Altamaha.
Diet: Ocmulgee slimy salamanders primarily feed on insects, and their diets tend to be composed largely of woodlice, ants, beetles, and worms.
Reproduction: When a male is sexually mature, it will develop a prominent mental gland on the underside of its chin, this gland produces hormones to induce female interest. Males will rub the gland on the females to spread the hormones, females can easily be identified by the sight of eggs causing the abdomen to bulge. After breeding, the female will lay a clutch of eggs in a suitable moist, sheltered place and proceed to guard the eggs until they hatch. Eggs generally hatch after 3 months on average, and juveniles resemble miniature adults, without a larval stage. Ocmulgee slimy salamanders take around 2 years to fully mature.
Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of its relatively wide distribution, and because it is unlikely to be declining at such a rate as to warrant a threatened listing.
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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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