32 HERPETOLOGY OF MICHIGAN. 



Distrihutioii: Pennsylvania to Virginia and nortli to Canada. 

 (Jordan, 1899.) 



Michigan : Specimens in tlie Universit}' Museum from ^larquette, 

 Cheboygan, ^fanistee, Arenac (Charity Island), Hnron, Ionia, Ing- 

 ham, Liyingston, AVayne and Washtenaw Counties. The writers 

 have also examined specimens from Gratiot and Eaton Counties, 

 Reported from Eaton County (Clark, 1902) ; Eaton and Montcalm 

 Counties (Gibbs, Xotestein and Clark, 1905) ; Washtenaw County 

 (Smith, 1879) ; Cheboygan County (Ruthyen, 1911) ; Huron County 

 (Ruthven, 1911a j. 



PLETHODOX ERYTHRONOTUS (Green). 



RED-BACKED SALAMANDER. 

 (Pis. I, lib.) 



Description: Body long, slender and cylindrical. Head small; 

 mouth yery large, upper jaw slightly protruding; eyes large; nares 

 small and situated laterally. Gular fold prominent, reaching up to 

 the dorsal stripe and met there by a groove running from the corner 

 of the eye. This groove is in turn bisected bv a groove extending- 

 upward from the corner of the mouth. Costal folds distinct; the 

 number varying from sixteen to nineteen. A distinct dorsal groove. 

 Limbs extremely slender, inner toes rudimentary. Tail cylindrical. 

 Yomero-palatine teeth extending backward in two converging rows. 

 Parasphenoid teeth in two patches behind the nares. 



Color brownish black on sides, usually with a broad ashy or red 

 dorsal stripe which is mottled with brown. Under surface yellow- 

 ish, also mottled with a darker color. 



Jleasiirements: f^pccimen 'No. SoSO). 



Total length 089 



Length of head and body 015 



Width of head 005 



Hahits and Hahitat: The red-backed salamander is entirely ter- 

 restrial in its habits. It is usually found under rocks and in decay- 

 ing logs in moist, woody ])laces and occasionally on low shrubs and 

 plants. It is very active, the adult disappearing rapidly and hiding 

 under leaves and moss when disturbed, unless accom]^anied by its 

 young. The food consists mainly of insects, larvae, small snails 

 and worms, Avhich are caught by means of the ])rojectile tongue. 



