Identification

Green salamanders are of average size (three to five inches) but no other Pennsylvania salamander has green lichen-like markings on a dark brown to blackish body. The toes are somewhat expanded and square-tipped; the body is flattened and the jaw muscles (of males particularly) are large and strong. Biology-Natural History Courtship and breeding may be conducted anytime from May to September. Males use the strong jaws and projecting upper jaw teeth to bite and shove one another during territorial struggles. Following mating, females deposit an average of 17 eggs on the upper surfaces of sandstone rock crevices, and then remain with the eggs to defend them against intruders. The young (less that an inch) hatch 84 to 91 days later and soon seek mossy crevices. Both young and adults feed on various invertebrates inhabiting the rock crevices. Winter is spent deep within cracks and crevice