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| Subspecies: | Unknown |
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| Est. World Population: | |
| CITES Status: | NOT LISTED |
| IUCN Status: | Near Threatened |
| U.S. ESA Status: | NOT LISTED |
| Body Length: | |
| Tail Length: | |
| Shoulder Height: | |
| Weight: | |
| Top Speed: | |
| Jumping Ability: | (Horizontal) |
| Life Span: | in the Wild |
| Life Span: | in Captivity |
| Sexual Maturity: | (Females) |
| Sexual Maturity: | (Males) |
| Litter Size: | |
| Gestation Period: | |
Habitat:
Pigeon Mountain Salamanders are associated with limestone outcroppings, boulder fields, and caves (Wynn et al. 1988). Those found in caves are rarely deeper than the twilight zone. Individuals are most often found in and around cracks and crevices within rocks. These microhabitats are embedded within mesic deciduous forests consisting of an over-story comprised primarily of oak and hickory (Jensen 1999). However, Pigeon Mountain Salamanders are rarely encountered away from rock outcrops or caves (Jensen et al. 2002).
Range:
This species is limited to the Cumberland Plateau of extreme northwestern Georgia, USA. All known populations occur on the eastern slope of Pigeon Mountain in Walker and Chattooga counties (Wynn et al. 1988, Jensen 1999, Buhlmann 2001, Jensen et al. 2002). Sites occur at elevations ranging from 220–570 m asl (Wynn et al. 1988). Its current estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) is 286 km2.
Conservation:
Conservation Actions In-Place
The majority of this species' range and potential habitat is in the Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area. A request to list the species as "Threatened" under the federal Endangered Species Act was submitted by John Jensen to the USFWS-Athens, GA Field Office. It is listed as "Rare" and is thus protected by the state of Georgia (Green et al. 2014).
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).
Conservation Needed
Private land within the range of the species should be considered for acquisition or the establishment of conservation easements. Timber harvest should be avoided in occupied habitats; if timber harvest does occur, it is important to retain a forested canopy surrounding significant rock-outcroppings and caves, as well as to retain a suitable amount of coarse woody debris.
Research Needed
There is a need for continued close monitoring of the population status and trends of this species.
The majority of this species' range and potential habitat is in the Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area. A request to list the species as "Threatened" under the federal Endangered Species Act was submitted by John Jensen to the USFWS-Athens, GA Field Office. It is listed as "Rare" and is thus protected by the state of Georgia (Green et al. 2014).
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).
Conservation Needed
Private land within the range of the species should be considered for acquisition or the establishment of conservation easements. Timber harvest should be avoided in occupied habitats; if timber harvest does occur, it is important to retain a forested canopy surrounding significant rock-outcroppings and caves, as well as to retain a suitable amount of coarse woody debris.
Research Needed
There is a need for continued close monitoring of the population status and trends of this species.