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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: | |
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Habitat:
This species occurs in ridge and valley areas in mixed deciduous forest interspersed with Virginia pine and hemlock and numerous rock outcrops (Green and Pauley 1987). It is most abundant in old-growth forests with many downed logs and in areas with an abundance of surface rocks (Mitchell 1991), including talus. It tends to be most abundant on north-facing slopes. During the day it is found under rocks and logs or in burrows. Breeding is terrestrial by direct development.
Range:
This species can be found in the Shenandoah, North, and Great North Mountains and George Washington National Forest in Virginia (Augusta, Rockingham, and Shenandoah counties) and West Virginia, USA (Green and Pauley 1987, Conant and Collins 1991, Petranka 1998). It occurs at elevations ranging between 735–1,200 m asl (but mainly from 900–1,200 m asl). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 8,667 km2.
Conservation:
Conservation Actions In-Place
The majority of this species' range falls within George Washington National Forest, within which it is recognized as a "Sensitive" species. Additionally, most of the habitat above 900 m asl is protected from logging activities by the Shenandoah Mountain Crest Special Biological Area. This species is listed as a "Species at Risk" by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is a "Species of Special Concern" in both Virginia and West Virginia (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
Continued rigorous management of the existing parks is the best guarantee for the conservation of this species.
Research Needed
More information is needed on this species' distribution, population status, ecology, and threats.
The majority of this species' range falls within George Washington National Forest, within which it is recognized as a "Sensitive" species. Additionally, most of the habitat above 900 m asl is protected from logging activities by the Shenandoah Mountain Crest Special Biological Area. This species is listed as a "Species at Risk" by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is a "Species of Special Concern" in both Virginia and West Virginia (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
Continued rigorous management of the existing parks is the best guarantee for the conservation of this species.
Research Needed
More information is needed on this species' distribution, population status, ecology, and threats.