Reptiles and Amphibians: Salamanders

Nearly 40 species of salamanders are found along the Appalachian Trail. All look like lizards, but, unlike reptiles, they have moist, scaleless skin and lack ear openings and clawed feet. The red eft (pictured here) is an immature red-spotted newt. It is the only salamander you are likely to see while hiking, unless you stop to turn over rocks and logs. It is often seen crossing the Trail during or just after rainfall. The eft is born on land, but, once it reaches maturity, it spends the remainder of its life in the water. For some, this transformation takes up to three years.