Salamanders & Newt
Eastern Redback Salamander
Plethodon cinereus
Characteristics
Most commonly grey/black with a red/orange stripe down the back of the length of the body. They may also present in an all-grey/black form called the "lead-back" phase or in rare cases an all-red phase.
Status
Not Listed (Nova Scotia)
Habitat
Prefer damp habitats with lots of organic debris.
Range
Found throughout Nova Scotia.
Yellow-spotted Salamander
Ambystoma maculatum
Characteristics
Large black body with distinct yellow spots. In very rare cases their present without spots.
Status
Not Listed (Nova Scotia)
Habitat
Can be found near woodland ponds and wetlands, most often seen crossing roads during the great salamander migration in spring. This usually happens during the first warm rainy night in spring.
Range
Found throughout Nova Scotia.
Blue-spotted Salamander
Ambystoma laterale
Characteristics
Dark grey/black body with several blue speckles along the sides.
Status
Not Listed (Nova Scotia)
Habitat
Prefer damp habitats near alder swamps and slow-flowing water.
Range
Found in isolated pockets in Queens and Annapolis Counties within Nova Scotia.
Four-toed Salamander
Hemidactylium scutatum
Characteristics
This salamander can be easily confused with red-backed salamanders. They share the orange/reddish coloration but can have some spotting along their sides. It has a unique white underbelly and four toes can distinguish it from other species.
Status
Not Listed (Nova Scotia)
Habitat
Can be found in damp mossy habitats and woodland habitats.
Range
A small number of sightings were found scattered across Nova Scotia.
Red-spotted Newt
Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens
Characteristics
This species has a unique life cycle in which the adults are fully aquatic and the juveniles are terrestrial, unlike the other species of Salamanders that are typically terrestrial as adults. Adult Red-spotted newts are olive green with small red spots along their body. Their tail flattens into a strong paddle for their aquatic adult stage. As juveniles, they are vibrant red/orange and easily distinguishable.
Status
Not Listed (Nova Scotia)
Habitat
Adults can be found in vegetated wetland habitats including lentic water and slow-flowing brooks. Juveniles hang out in meadows, fields, and forested habitats.
Range
Can be found throughout Nova Scotia.
