Slimy Salamander
Plethodon glutinosus Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Caudata Family: Plethodontidae Location: Slimy Salamanders are found throughout eastern North America, except for southern Florida, including all of South Carolina and Georgia. Habitat: They prefer moines, which is why they stay under logs, stones, or in burrows during the day and come out on moist nights to find prey. Fun Facts: 1) They can reach up to 6.75 in (17 cm) in length, with blackish-blue color and scattered silvery-white or gold spots all over their body. 2) Male, adult, Slimy Salamanders have a large mental gland on the chin, which they use to stimulate the female. 3) They were once considered one species but have recently been split into 13 separate species. 4) They have closed circulatory system. 5) All Chordates have a notochord, dorsal nerve chord, pharyngeal pouches, and post anal tail at some point in their life. Salamanders are not yet fully endangered, but there has been a rapid decline. A further 62 species have been designated as Near-Threatened with populations that are dwindling. This means they are quickly getting closer to Threatened Status and to the brink of extinction. Humans are impacting them greatly with habitat destruction. The loss of their homes are causing their population to decrease greatly. Citations: http://www.savethesalamanders.com/threats.html http://srelherp.uga.edu/salamanders/pleglu.htm https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAUQjhw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbioweb.uwlax.edu%2Fbio203%2Fs2014%2Fgeraldso_mart%2Finteractions.htm&ei=uQxpVMiqBpKvyATD94C4Aw&bvm=bv.79142246,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNGDh80ONqaKI5FKAZD3z5zlXISRYg&ust=1416257044751904 |