time in August. In general pattern it usually resembles the color 

 phase of its mother. The gills may reach their fullest development 

 just before or just after hatching. In any case the gills disappear 

 within a few days after hatching, and at no stage can the hatched 

 larva be considered aquatic. 



Size. Males average about 73 mm. long and females 78 mm. 



Habitat. This species is relatively independent of water. It 

 seems to prefer deep conifer woods but is frequently found also in 

 mixed deciduous woods. Sometimes it is abundant near woodland 

 streams and may be associated with Jefferson's Salamander or the 

 Four-toed Salamander. 



Breeding Habits. Mating has not been observed, but dissection 

 reveals that it probably takes place over a considerable period of 

 time, from the last of October until April. In July or August the 

 female lays her eggs on the roof of a burrow located in a rotten 

 and crumbling log. The eggs are always in a crevice small enough 

 to allow the female to remain with her body in contact with them 

 until they hatch. Often several females with their eggs will be 

 found in a crevice near the end of a particularly suitable log. The 

 eggs may also be laid under loose bark, moss, or stones. 



An egg cluster usually consists of from three to thirteen eggs. 

 The eggs are usually, but not always, suspended from the roof of 

 the nest crevice. 



Food. The adult apparently prefers ants, but also eats insects 

 of many other sorts, as well as earthworms, roundworms, snails, 

 sowbugs, spiders, mites and millipedes. 



This species can be so independent of aquatic situations that it 

 might properly be excluded from an aquarium guide were it not 

 for the fact that it is often associated with forms which do have 

 aquatic stages and with which it might be confused. 



Like the four-toed species, this lively little salamander leaps with 

 its tail. Although it does not have an obvious breaking point on 

 the tail just back of the vent, it too can run off, leaving a raw- 

 tipped stub which leaps and wriggles about in a manner calculated 

 to distract an enemy. However, such an event by no means always 

 occurs, for it often remains coiled and motionless when exposed. 



[60} 



