Scientific Name – Desmognathus fuscus

Classification – Plethodontidae

Baby Name – Efts

Collective Noun – Congress, band or maelstrom

Average Length – 6 to 14 cm

Speed – Fast creature

Life Expectancy – Up to 15 years

Breeding Season – Fall and spring

Incubation Period – Around 2 months

Special Features – Lungless and heavy-bodied; hind legs are larger than the front legs

Family Unit – Solitary except during courtship and mating

Geographical Distribution – Eastern North America

World Population – Unknown; estimated to be more than 1,00,000

Conservation Status – Least Concern

Natural Habitat – Mountain springs, forest areas near to small groundwater fed streams, seeps, and springs

Diet – Earthworms, slugs, crustaceans, snails, spiders, mites, flies and fly larvae, ants, beetles and beetle larvae,  moths, centipedes, mayflies

Predators – Raccoons, striped skunks, shrews, snakes, birds, other salamanders