Spring Salamander

Gyrinophilus porphyriticus

Spring Salamanders are one of the largest in the group of Lungless Salamanders (Plethodontidae). They are also one of the several species of salamander in metro Atlanta that can be bright orange or reddish in color. They can be bright yellow/orange, or dark red or brownish purple depending on age, size and where you encounter them. The combination of these colors, along with the black spotting on the back can get them confused with Red Salamander and Mud Salamander, but the Spring Salamander has a pronounced ridge running from the eye to the nostril (this is called the canthus rostralis). The canthus rostralis is often outlined with color.

Larvae are tubular compared to other stream breeding species and lack and dark spots as most other stream larvae have. Larvae can live 4-5 years before metamorphosing. This species is active almost year round, mating in the winter/spring and depositing eggs in the summer and fall. Eggs are laid on the underside of rocks in streams

Spring Salamanders are PREDICTED from Fulton County and KNOWN from Dekalb County.