Slimy Salamander
Plethodon glutinosus
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Range and habitat:
The slimy salamander is found in the eastern
United States, including Ohio
Natural diet:
This species of salamander feeds on small terrestrial
invertebrates.
Size / weight range:
Slimy salamanders grow to be about 5 to
6 inches, with a record size of about 8 inches.
Interesting facts:
The slimy salamander is a member of the Plethodontidae,
the largest family of salamanders in the world. What we consider the slimy
salamander is actually a complex of several different closely related
species.
The slimy salamander lays a clutch of eggs on land in moist protected areas. These eggs hatch directly into tiny salamanders. There is no larval stage. The female will stay with the eggs to tend and protect them. If an egg dies, she will usually eat it to prevent the fungus on the decaying egg from infecting the other eggs. The clutch size is between 4-12 eggs. The slimy salamander also produces a thick sticky slime that deters predators.
Location at The Toledo Zoo:
Amazing Amphibians exhibit, located
in the Museum of Science
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