The Many-ribbed Salamander (Eurycea multiplicata) might not be as famous as some other amphibians, but it’s a fascinating little creature with a subtle charm. This salamander is known for its long, slender body and—you guessed it—many visible ribs. It spends most of its life tucked away in clear, cool streams in a handful of southern states, making it a bit of a hidden gem for nature lovers and herp enthusiasts alike.
Size & Physical Appearance
These salamanders are on the small side, typically ranging from 2.5 to 4 inches in length. Their bodies are long and narrow, giving them a snake-like appearance at first glance. The most distinguishing feature? Their ribs are visible as tiny bulges along their sides, especially in younger individuals or when they’re wet.
Their coloration varies from yellowish-brown to rusty orange, sometimes with a faint mottled pattern that helps them blend in with the pebbles and leaves on stream bottoms. Their bellies are usually pale and unmarked. Males and females look quite similar, though males may develop swollen vents during the breeding season.
Habitat and Range
The Many-ribbed Salamander is a stream specialist. It prefers cool, clear, well-oxygenated streams with rocky or gravel bottoms. You’ll usually find it hiding under stones or submerged logs, especially in areas with little human disturbance.
This species has a pretty limited range. It’s found primarily in the Ouachita Mountains of western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. These salamanders are mostly found at mid to low elevations, often in forested mountain valleys. They’re quite sensitive to changes in water quality, so they tend to disappear from areas with heavy pollution or erosion.
Diet
In the wild, Many-ribbed Salamanders feed on a variety of small invertebrates. Their diet includes aquatic insects, larvae, worms, and tiny crustaceans. They tend to hunt at night or in low light, using their quick reflexes to snatch prey moving through the water.
What’s neat is how opportunistic they can be. If food is scarce, they’re not picky eaters—any small, moving creature in their habitat is fair game.
Lifespan
These salamanders typically live around 5 to 8 years in the wild, though exact data is limited. In captivity, they may live a bit longer with proper care, but they’re not commonly kept by hobbyists due to their specific habitat needs.
Identification Tips
It can be tricky to tell the Many-ribbed Salamander apart from other small stream-dwelling salamanders, especially those in the same genus (Eurycea). Here are a few things to look for:
- Visible ribs: These are often noticeable as small bumps along the sides, more prominent than in most related species.
- Slender body: Even by salamander standards, this species is particularly narrow and elongate.
- Coloration: That rusty orange to yellowish-brown hue with a smooth or slightly mottled pattern sets it apart from more boldly marked species.
If you’re in the Ouachita region and find a small, skinny salamander in a cool stream, this might be your salamander. But a field guide or expert check is always a good idea—Eurycea salamanders can be a true ID challenge.
Fun Fact
Here’s something cool: the Many-ribbed Salamander belongs to a group called lungless salamanders. That means it doesn’t have lungs at all—it breathes entirely through its skin and the lining of its mouth. For that to work, it needs to stay moist, which is one reason why it sticks close to those cool, flowing streams.
Final Thoughts
The Many-ribbed Salamander might not be flashy, but it’s a great example of how diverse and specialized amphibians can be. Its reliance on clean, healthy stream habitats makes it a valuable indicator species—if you’re seeing these salamanders, it usually means the ecosystem is in good shape.
If you’re hiking in the Ouachitas and flipping over rocks in a creek (gently, of course), keep an eye out for this elusive little neighbor. Just remember to put rocks back exactly as you found them—these salamanders need their hiding places intact to stay happy and healthy.