Red-backed salamander
| Red Back Salamander | |
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| Species: | P. cinereus
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| Plethodon cinereus Green, 1818)
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 | This article contains instructions, advice, or how-to content. (December 2010) |
The Red Back (or Backed) Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) is a small, hardy woodland salamander. It inhabits wooded slopes in Eastern North America; west to Missouri; south to North Carolina; and north from southern Quebec and the Maritime Provinces in Canada to Minnesota. It is also known as the Northern Redback Salamander to distinguish it from the Southern Redback Salamander (P. serratus). The red-backed salamander is found mostly in two color variations: the nominate red variety, 'redback', as well as a darker phase known as the 'leadback' which lacks most or all of the red pigmentation found in the red phase.[1] However, one can also find a variety of other color variations (e.g., stripe of yellow, orange, white, or an uncommon erythristic morph, which is completely reddish-orange).
Reproduction and biomass
Males and females typically establish separate feeding and/or mating territories underneath rocks and logs. However, some Red Back Salamanders are thought to engage in social monogamy, and may maintain co-defended territories throughout their active period. Breeding occurs in June and July. Females produce from 4–17 eggs in a year. The eggs will hatch in 6–8 weeks. Not much is known about the dispersal of neonates, although it is thought that neonates and juveniles are philopatric. The huge biomass of this species in the northeastern United States is able to make such a contribution to the environment by consuming an equally large number of invertebrates and other detritus dwellers, which quicken the decomposition of leaf-litter and fallen logs and thus release great quantities of carbon dioxide [CO2]. {{citation}}: Empty citation (help)
Captivity
Red Back Salamanders are very popular pets because of their hardiness. Cages do not need to be exceptionally large, and a common sweater box may be used with small holes poked on the sides. This can be done by using a hot pin. The enclosure must have a secure lid, for Red Back Salamanders are able to climb on smooth surfaces. They require driftwood and some sort of ground cover (leaf litter, twigs, etc.) in them to keep the salamander feeling secure. Any item found outside that will be inside the enclosure must be boiled first to make sure it is free of disease and parasites. The environment must be partially moist and kept out of direct sunlight or the salamanders skin will dry out and it will suffocate. Too much water can cause stress especially when it forms pools (salamanders can swim but hate it because of the lack of oxygen present in water and will drown if they cannot escape).
Ideal temperature for them would be 58 to 65 °F (14 to 18 °C), if it gets over 75 °F (24 °C) the salamander will either dry out and suffocate, or burrow very deeply. If the temperature reaches anywhere from 35–50 °F (2–10 °C) they will start to hybernate and anywhere below freezing they will die if they are not underground. Staple diets consist of small black or red ants, small spiders, pinhead crickets, chopped earthworms, small mealworms[2] (not a favorite) or even other salamanders. One should be cautious when putting two Red Back Salamanders that were not found together in a small container with little food; as they are canibalistic, they may eat their own eggs and hatchlings.
References
External links
Data related to Plethodon cinereus at Wikispecies
- Plethodon cinereus
- Parental Care in Plethodon cinereus
- Plethodon cinereus, Caudata Culture
- Eastern Redback Salamander (Plethodon cinereus), Natural Resources Canada