Southern Red-backed Salamander - Plethodon serratus

Southern_Red-backed_Salamander

*The colored areas of the map above represent parishes with currently known records for the given species
 (Source: Jeff Boundy, LA Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries). By no means does it represent the full range of the species in the state, nor does it necessarily mean that a species can be found throughout the parish with the record. This is provided as a guide to where you might be able to find these species in the state and to aid in identification. A descriptive explanation of the range of each species can be found in the text below.


Other Common Names: 

Subspecies: No subspecies recognized.

Description: 

Similar Species: 

Species Range: 

Louisiana Range:  Known from only four parishes in central Louisiana, Rapides, Natchitoches, De Soto, and Catahoula.

Habitat:

Natural History: 

Best Time and Place to Observe:

Global Conservation Status:  Southern Red-backed Salamanders have a relatively wide distribution in the southeastern United States and a presumed large population, and thus, are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Their NatureServe Global Conservation Status Rank is G5 (Secure).

Federal Conservation Status:  None

Louisiana Conservation Status:  Southern Red-backed Salamanders have a ranking of S1 (critically imperiled because of extreme rarity – 5 or fewer known extant populations) in Louisiana. In Louisiana, Southern Red-backed Salamanders have a State Protection Status of ‘prohibited’, meaning possession or harvest of this species is illegal.

*** If you live in the range of this species in Louisiana and believe you may have observed this species please let me know (take a picture if possible), as there may be more unknown populations in the state.***

Author's Remarks: I have only found this species in Louisiana from six different sites, five in Kisatchie National Forest in Natchitoches Parish and the other in Sicily Island Hills WMA in Catahoula Parish. The first Kisatchie site was an unknown site near a campground in March 2004, but the other site is well known and I have found them there in 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2017. One new site in Kisatchie was found in early 2023 and the other two in early 2024. I finally found my first one in Sicily Island Hills WMA after several trips in late 2022.

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