The Brownback Salamander might not be flashy, but it’s got a charm all its own. This little amphibian is semi-aquatic and lives mostly in the cool streams of the southeastern US. What makes it stand out? It’s part of a rare group of salamanders with lungs that vanished along the evolutionary road. Instead, it breathes right through its skin and mouth lining — how cool is that?
Size & Physical Appearance
Brownback Salamanders are on the smaller side. Adults usually measure between 2.5 to 4 inches from snout to tail.
Their coloring gives them their name: they have a brownish or tan back that often features light speckling or a faint stripe down the middle. Their bellies are lighter, and the overall pattern helps them blend in with the leaf litter and rocks in their stream habitats.
Males and females look pretty similar, but during the breeding season, males may develop slightly more swollen glands around their heads. Juveniles resemble adults but might appear a bit more translucent and have slightly brighter patterns.
Habitat and Range
Brownback Salamanders are closely tied to clear, cold streams — mostly in Alabama, Georgia, and parts of Tennessee. These salamanders are found in low to mid-elevation hardwood forests, where clean water, leaf litter, and rocks provide cover and insect life.
They are especially fond of springs, stream margins, and seepage areas in forested foothills and mountainous areas. Think places with lots of mossy rocks and shade.
Good water quality is a big deal for these salamanders, so they’re often used as indicators of healthy stream ecosystems.
Diet
Brownback Salamanders hunt by night, feeding mostly on small invertebrates like:
- Springtails
- Mites
- Tiny insects
- Worms and other small soil critters
They use a quick flick of their sticky tongue to catch their prey. It’s silent, fast, and pretty effective.
Lifespan
In the wild, Brownback Salamanders can live for around 5 to 10 years, though data is somewhat limited. In captivity (when studied under special permits), they can live just as long, assuming clean water and proper care are provided.
Identification Tips
This species can be tricky to tell apart from its close relatives, especially the Southern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea cirrigera), which often shares its range.
Here are a few ID tips:
- Brownback Salamanders lack the bold black side stripes that many two-lined salamanders have.
- They have a subtler, more diffuse pattern and a plainer, brownish back.
- Look closely at the head — Brownback Salamanders have slightly shorter snouts and a more uniform face than some of their cousins.
When in doubt, local range and habitat can help narrow things down.
Fun Fact
Brownback Salamanders belong to the lungless salamander family (Plethodontidae). That means they don’t have lungs at all — not even as hatchlings. Instead, they absorb oxygen through their skin. It’s part of why they need clean, well-oxygenated water to survive.
Pretty amazing for such a small and seemingly ordinary creature.
If you’re lucky enough to spot a Brownback Salamander while hiking near a cold stream, remember to look — but not touch. These delicate amphibians are sensitive to skin oils and chemicals. Observing from a distance helps protect them and keeps wild places healthy for future visits.