Not So Red-Backed Salamander

At first I mistook this guy for a worm, all gray and twitching. He did use the characteristic salamander twitch however so I looked again. A quick search proves my standard red-backed salamanders come in a few colors. I did find this one first but a red colored one wasn't far away. They liked the rotting wood I had left out as a winter nest.

Red-Backed Salamander

I did some fall clean-up yesterday, trying to work down my to do list. This included trashing the bits I'd pulled off one of the planting beds to check for termites. While I found no new termites I did find two salamanders. the one above was the standard red-backed variety. The other was not. You'll see that one tomorrow. I brushed all the plant debris away from the house and hope the two move down where they can stay alive.

Red Backed Salamander

salamander Plethodon cinereus

Every spring when I clean out my planting beds or pots I find at least one of these guys. This years was minus most of its tail. Plethodon cinereus from Saturday. I spent all day Sunday doing yard work.