Say hello to the Patch-nosed Salamander (Urspelerpes brucei) — one of the smallest salamanders in the United States and the only member of its genus. This little amphibian stands out thanks to the tiny yellow “patch” on the tip of its snout and its very limited range. First described in 2009, it’s still something of a scientific mystery. If you’re into rare or overlooked wildlife, this pint-sized salamander is definitely one to keep an eye on.
Size & Physical Appearance
Patch-nosed Salamanders are truly tiny. Adults typically measure just 1 to 1.7 inches long from nose to tail. That’s about the size of a paperclip.
Their bodies are slender with relatively short limbs. The coloration varies, but most sport a yellow to golden-brown base color with darker brown or black markings that can form spots or broken stripes along the back. The most distinctive feature is the small yellow patch on the tip of the nose — this is what gives them their common name.
Males are generally brighter in color than females and tend to have a slightly broader snout. Juveniles look a lot like adults but are smaller and may have less defined coloration.
Habitat and Range
This species has a super limited range. So far, it’s only been found in the southern Appalachian Mountains, specifically in northeastern Georgia and a small section of South Carolina.
Patch-nosed Salamanders live in moist, forested environments near clear, cool streams and seepages. They’re often found under rocks, leaf litter, and fallen logs, especially near shallow running water.
They’re usually at elevations between 1,000 to 2,500 feet, thriving in the shaded, humid conditions of mature hardwood forests.
Diet
Like many small salamanders, the Patch-nosed Salamander feeds on tiny invertebrates. Its menu includes springtails, mites, ants, and small beetles — pretty much whatever little critters it can catch with its sticky tongue.
Due to their small size and cryptic lifestyle, they hunt mostly in secret, usually at night or during damp weather when conditions are just right.
Lifespan
Not much is known about their exact lifespan in the wild, but similar salamander species in the lungless Plethodontidae family can live around 7 to 10 years. Because this species is newly discovered and rarely seen, there’s still a lot to learn when it comes to its life history.
In captivity, there’s no solid data yet because very few people keep this species — and many states protect them due to their rarity.
Identification Tips
This salamander isn’t likely to be confused with too many others, mostly because of its range and that signature yellow snout. But here are a few pointers to help confirm what you’re seeing:
- Size: Much smaller than most other Appalachian salamanders.
- Snout patch: Look for that subtle yellowish-gold tip of the nose. No other U.S. salamander has this.
- Body shape: Slender body and short legs. Somewhat resembles dusky salamanders at first glance, but it’s smaller and lacks the same patterning.
- Habitat: Found only in very specific mountain stream environments in the Deep South. If you’re outside northeastern Georgia or northwest South Carolina, it’s probably not this salamander.
Fun Fact
The Patch-nosed Salamander wasn’t discovered until 2009 — making it one of the most recent amphibian species described in the U.S. In fact, it’s the only known species in the entire Urspelerpes genus. That’s pretty rare in the salamander world and makes this tiny creature a real zoological treasure.
Why It Matters
Even though it’s small and not exactly a show-stopper, the Patch-nosed Salamander is part of what makes Appalachian biodiversity so special. Its presence can even help scientists monitor the health of mountain stream ecosystems. Plus, learning more about these little-known creatures helps us understand how ecosystems support so many kinds of life — and why protecting them matters.
If you’re hiking in the southern Appalachians and spot a tiny flash of yellow on a salamander’s nose, congrats — you may have seen one of the rarest amphibians in the Southeast. Just make sure to leave it where you found it, and consider snapping a photo (without disturbing it) to share with a local herpetology group or citizen science project.