Mississippi Slimy Salamander

 Found west of the Tennessee River in the Coastal Plain. White-spotted Slimy, Mississippi Slimy, Plethodon mississippi, and Northern Slimy Salamanders are virtually indistinguishable and make up the Slimy salamander complex.  A large salamander (4.5 to 8.0 inches in length) has a black dorsum with small, white, or silver spots scattered over the body. The belly is lighter than the back, and the tail is round.

Similar Species: Distinguished from identical White-spotted Slimy and Northern Slimy Salamanders by the range and genetic analysis. Tellico Salamander has a separate range, and Cumberland Plateau Salamanders are smaller and have a light chin. Southern Appalachian Salamander usually has fewer and smaller white spots on the back and sides.

Habitat: Beneath covers, including trash, in bottomland hardwood forests.

Diet: A variety of invertebrates, especially insects.

Breeding information: Adults reproduce terrestrially during the spring and summer. Females lay 15-17 eggs in underground cavities during the late summer or early fall. Females remain with the eggs until hatching.

Status in Tennessee: Relatively resilient to timber harvesting; however, clear-cuts have a negative impact on populations.

Fun Facts:

• Slimy salamanders secrete a sticky, noxious substance from their skin as a defense against predators.

Best places to see in Tennessee: Bottomland hardwood forests of west Tennessee.