Meet the Southern Gray-cheeked Salamander — a shy, nocturnal amphibian that lives high in the misty mountains of the southern Appalachians. This little creature is part of the lungless salamander family, which means it breathes entirely through its skin and the lining of its mouth. It might not be flashy, but its secretive nature, high-elevation habitat, and subtle beauty make it a true gem for nature lovers and herp enthusiasts.
Size & Physical Appearance
Southern Gray-cheeked Salamanders are on the small side. Adults usually range from 3 to 4.5 inches long, nose to tail. Their coloring is dark and muted — typically black to dark gray on the back, with a few scattered pale flecks or specks that can look silvery in the right light. The sides of the head are a softer gray, giving the species its name.
Females tend to be slightly larger than males, but the difference isn’t huge. Juveniles often have lighter patterns or clearer speckling, which fades as they mature.
Habitat and Range
You won’t find the Southern Gray-cheeked Salamander just anywhere. It’s a mountain specialist, and only lives in the higher elevations of the southern Appalachian Mountains, mostly in western North Carolina and parts of northeastern Georgia and eastern Tennessee.
It prefers cool, moist hardwood forests at elevations above 3,000 feet. Think deep leaf litter, downed logs, mossy rocks, and foggy woods. These salamanders spend their days hidden underground or under cover, coming out mostly at night when humidity is high.
Diet
Their menu is simple but effective. Southern Gray-cheeked Salamanders eat a variety of small invertebrates — including insects, spiders, mites, springtails, and other tiny creatures they can ambush in the leaf litter.
They’re opportunistic feeders, so they’ll eat whatever fits in their mouths and is easy to catch. Since they don’t have lungs, they rely on moist skin to breathe — and that means they’re active mostly during damp conditions when food is easier to find anyway.
Lifespan
In the wild, they can live about 10 to 15 years, though most studies on closely related species suggest they may live even longer under the right conditions. In captivity, where threats are lower, and moisture and food are carefully managed, they could potentially live past 15 years, though this species isn’t commonly kept.
Identification Tips
Telling this species apart from its Appalachian cousins can be tricky, especially since there are several very similar Plethodon species in the area. A few helpful tips:
- Gray cheeks: Look for the light gray coloring on the sides of the face — this is subtle but distinctive.
- No dorsal stripe: Unlike the Red-backed Salamander, they lack a red or orange stripe along the back.
- Compare to the Northern Gray-cheeked: The Southern Gray-cheeked Salamander is generally darker and more restricted to the southern part of the mountains.
- Habitat is a clue: Their specific high-elevation, moist forest habitat is a big giveaway. If you’re hiking above 3,000 feet in certain parts of North Carolina or Georgia, you might be in their territory.
Fun Fact
These salamanders don’t have lungs at all — they breathe entirely through their skin and the tissues in their mouth. That’s why they have to stay moist. If they dry out, they can’t breathe properly, which is why you’ll only see them when conditions are cool and damp.
In Summary
The Southern Gray-cheeked Salamander might not win any awards for bright colors or flashy behavior, but it’s a fascinating, specialized species with a quiet role in its mountain ecosystem. If you’re lucky enough to spot one, remember to leave it as you found it — these delicate amphibians depend on stable, unspoiled habitats to survive.
Got a favorite mountain trail in western North Carolina? Keep an eye out — but bring a flashlight and a gentle touch. These salamanders are out there, quietly living their mossy, mountaintop lives.