Southern Two-Lined Salamander
While we were in the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, area, we took a drive over to Cades Cove. At one point we got out and walked along Abrams Creek. The Cave Geek noticed movement by his feet, and pointed out a little salamander to me.
Southern Two-Lined Salamander in ground litter
It was just a little thing, and moving very FAST! It ran off the trail and up the hillside in a flash.
Southern Two-Lined Salamander (Eurycea cirrigera)
This little salamander typically lives beneath rocks and logs along the edges of small, rocky streams and seeps, so it was definitely in its natural habitat. Sometimes they wander pretty far from water on the forest floor, but this one was right close to the creek.
Abrams Creek, Cades Cove, Tennessee
It was a dainty looking little thing. It didn’t take long until it scurried under the leaf litter and we couldn’t see it any more.
Southern Two-lined Salamander
It was a short encounter, but it was neat that we happened to catch a glimpse of such a small critter darting through the leaves!
