Red Salamander - Distribution

Distribution

There are four subspecies of Pseudotriton ruber: P.r. ruber, P.r.nitidus, P.r.schencki, and P.r. vioscai. All of these subspecies are found across the eastern United States, occupying streams through open areas such as fields and meadows as well as aquatic areas through forested areas and mountains. Each subspecies is similar in appearance with slight differences in size and coloration but are found in different habitats. The Northern Red Salamander, P.r.ruber, is characterized as being red or reddish orange with numerous black spots down its back. This species is the most common and can be found from southern New York and Ohio to northeast Alabama (Conant & Collins 1998). Similar in appearance to the Northern Red Salamander is the Blue Ridge Red Salamander, P.r.nitidus. This species differs from the Northern Red Salamander in that it is slightly smaller and lacks black coloration on the tip of the tail and chin (Conant & Collins 1998). The Blue Ridge Salamander is found in elevations to more than 5000 feet in the southern part of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia (Conant & Collins 1998). Another subspecies of Pseudotriton ruber is the Blackchin Red Salamander, P.r. schencki. This salamander differs in appearance by having strong black coloration under its chin as well as spotting all the way to the tip of the tail (Conant & Collins 1998). It can also be found in elevations to more than 5000 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains (Conant & Collins 1998). The last subspecies, the Southern Red Salamander (P.r. vioscai) is often purplish to salmon colored and normally has white spots on its head. This subspecies is found from southern South Carolina to southeast Louisiana and southwest Kentucky. All subspecies of Pseudotriton ruber occupy moist environments such as under moss and stones near clear water sources such as streams or springs (Conant & Collins 1998). Pseudotriton ruber is normally not found near large streams, but insteasd near smaller water sources (Petranka 1998).