Midland Mud Salamander (Pseudotriton montanus diasticutis) - Ohio Herp Atlas

Length 3 1/2 – 6 in. (9-15 cm). Midland Mud Salamanders are most often encountered under large, flat stones along shallow, sluggish woodland streams, springs, and seeps. As implied by their name, they indeed seem to prefer muddy areas. In Ohio, this species is somewhat uncommon and is limited to a few counties in the extreme southern part of the state. Although easily confused with the Northern Red Salamander, the Mud Salamander normally has a brown rather than yellow iris and a few black spots.

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