Page 112 - A Field Guide to Fairfax County's Plants and Wildlife
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thern Two-lined Salamander
(Eurycea bislineata)
Description
These small, slender salamanders are
usually yellow (although the color can range
from greenish-yellow to yellow-orange). The
species name bislineata means “two lines,”
and refers to the paired dark stripes that run from each eye down the back
to the tip of the tail They may also have black speckles. Adults can grow to
lengths of 6.5 to 12 centimeters. These salamanders are active mainly at night;
they prefer warm, wet weather for hunting. Two-lined Salamanders tend to
stay in the same area year-round as long as there is water nearby. Females lay
12 to 36 eggs under rocks and logs or even at the bottom of deep lakes. Once
hatched, the aquatic larvae may take two to three years to mature into adults.
Some populations may hibernate through the winter, while others may “wake
up” to move around and feed if the conditions are right.
Unlike other salamanders, female Distribution and Habitat
Two-lined Salamanders guard their
eggs until they are ready to hatch. This species is widespread in the
northern and northwestern parts of
Virginia’s physiographic provinces
(roughly north of Charlottesville). In
the southern part of the state, it is
replaced by its close relative, the
Southern Two-lined Salamander (E.
cirrigera). Two-lined Salamanders
are found in or near small streams,
springs and floodplains. They can
also be found in forests under rocks
or logs.
Role in Food Web
Adults mostly eat terrestrial small
invertebrates, including insects,
spiders, worms, snails, centipedes and isopods. Larvae forage on the bottom
of streams for small aquatic invertebrates. Predators include shrews, owls,
Blue Jays, Garter Snakes, trout and other salamanders.
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(Eurycea bislineata)
Description
These small, slender salamanders are
usually yellow (although the color can range
from greenish-yellow to yellow-orange). The
species name bislineata means “two lines,”
and refers to the paired dark stripes that run from each eye down the back
to the tip of the tail They may also have black speckles. Adults can grow to
lengths of 6.5 to 12 centimeters. These salamanders are active mainly at night;
they prefer warm, wet weather for hunting. Two-lined Salamanders tend to
stay in the same area year-round as long as there is water nearby. Females lay
12 to 36 eggs under rocks and logs or even at the bottom of deep lakes. Once
hatched, the aquatic larvae may take two to three years to mature into adults.
Some populations may hibernate through the winter, while others may “wake
up” to move around and feed if the conditions are right.
Unlike other salamanders, female Distribution and Habitat
Two-lined Salamanders guard their
eggs until they are ready to hatch. This species is widespread in the
northern and northwestern parts of
Virginia’s physiographic provinces
(roughly north of Charlottesville). In
the southern part of the state, it is
replaced by its close relative, the
Southern Two-lined Salamander (E.
cirrigera). Two-lined Salamanders
are found in or near small streams,
springs and floodplains. They can
also be found in forests under rocks
or logs.
Role in Food Web
Adults mostly eat terrestrial small
invertebrates, including insects,
spiders, worms, snails, centipedes and isopods. Larvae forage on the bottom
of streams for small aquatic invertebrates. Predators include shrews, owls,
Blue Jays, Garter Snakes, trout and other salamanders.
r 108 r
