Santeetlah Dusky Salamander
Desmognathus fuscus santeetlah

Sevier Co., Tennessee, May 30, 2000
 

"What the heck is this?" A good question. We had stopped on the way home from South Carolina and were salamandering up in the Great Smoky Mountains, and this creature was next to a gorgeous, tumbling stream amongst some Northern Dusky Salamanders.  Northern Dusky it wasn't though, with that dark brownish-greenish coloration and small reddish spots.  Later at home, rested and with field guide and maps at hand, I narrowed it down to the Santeetlah Salamander, and I believe I'll stick to that.