Kentucky Spring Salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus duryi) - Ohio Herp Atlas

Kentucky Spring Salamander Gyrinophilus porphyriticus duryi

Length 4 3/4 – 7 in. (12-18 cm). The status of Spring Salamanders in southeastern Ohio is still somewhat unsettled. There are two different races occurring in our state, both of which are uncommon. The Kentucky Spring Salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus duryi) has been reported from Adams, Highland, Pike, and Scioto counties and is a well defined race. The Northern Spring Salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus porphyriticus) occurs throughout southeastern counties as well as in Hamilton County. All Spring Salamanders prefer to live in clear woodland brooks and springs where they hide under large flat stones. Occasionally they may be found hiding under objects in neighboring woodlands, but always in wet places. Larvae are more commonly seen than adults. Adults are known to feed on other salamanders, but little else is known about their life histories. Both races of Spring Salamanders have a conspicuous light and dark line running from the eye to the nostril. The spring salamanders might be confused with the red and mud salamanders; however, they have no such dark line.

Text courtesy of the Ohio Division of Wildlife: https://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/portals/wildlife/pdfs/publications/id%20guides/pub348.pdf

Distribution Map
Distribution of the Kentucky Spring Salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus duryi)
Photographs