Rich Mountain salamander

Rich Mountain salamanders grow to a length of about 5 centimetres (2.0 in), snout to vent. They are mottled and slatey-grey in colour which makes them inconspicuous. There are glands on their backs which secrete a noxious substance to deter predators.[2]

The Rich Mountain salamander was first collected at Rich Mountain east of Page, Oklahoma in the Ouachita Mountains. Where their range overlaps that of the Fourche Mountain salamander (Plethodont fourchensis), some hybridization occurs. Their habitat is mixed deciduous woodland particularly on north facing slopes near wet seeps. They are also found on scree slopes, under logs, rocks and debris and in cave entrances.[2]

The males defend territories and drive off other male salamanders. Breeding takes place in the late autumn, winter and early spring in burrows in scree and caves. About sixteen eggs are brooded by the female and hatch directly into juvenile salamanders without any intervening larval stage. The juveniles occupy the same habitat as the adults and both feed among the leaf litter on small invertebrates such as insects and their larvae, worms and spiders. They are largely nocturnal but sometimes move about by day in wet weather. The adults may aestivate from May till September though the juveniles remain active for at least part of this time. In the winter they probably hibernate and the females probably only breed every alternate year.[2]

In the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the Rich Mountain salamander is considered to be "Near threatened". This is because, although it is abundant in parts of its range, there are a number of separate populations which could be impacted by local events. It is vulnerable to habitat destruction and clear felling but some of its range is in protected areas.[1]