This species inhabits dry bottomlands along small creeks, and is found under logs on slopes above cypress swamps. Individuals likely avoid extreme dry and cold conditions by moving underground. Adults are active nocturnally, especially during damp conditions. It is relatively resilient to disturbance, and has frequently been found in second-growth forests (Green et al. 2014). This species is presumed to breed by direct development.

This species occurs on the Coastal Plain of the eastern USA, where its range extends from southeastern Virginia, eastern North Carolina, and northeastern South Carolina. It occurs in the Piedmont physiographic province in southeastern Virginia, central and western South Carolina, and in the Blue Ridge physiographic province in northeastern Georgia (Highton et al. 1989).

Conservation Actions In-Place
It is likely that this species occurs in several protected areas.

In an effort to prevent the introduction of Bsal into the US, an Interim Rule of the Lacey Act has been enacted that bans the importation of 201 species of salamanders (USFWS 2016). Additionally, a temporary voluntary trade moratorium of imports of Asian salamander species that are known to carry the disease until such time as effective testing and treatment regimens can be developed and distributed has been recommended to all exporters, shippers, sellers and buyers by the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC). A North America Bsal Task Force has also been created, with working groups designed to address a variety of disease prevention and mitigation goals (North America Bsal Task Force 2021).


Research Needed

More information is needed on this species' distribution, population status, ecology, and threats.