Herpetofauna: One Life's List

Desmognathus quadramaculatus
Blackbellied Salamander

Blount Co., Tennessee
March 13, 1999

These little creatures are amazing.  Blackbellies live in and next to mountain streams, and spend a lot of time with their heads elevated like the one in the picture.  Not only are they on the lookout for food and predators, but apparently they also defend a small home territory from other Blackbellies and other species of salamanders. They can give a pretty good nip too!