The burrowing salamander [1] ( lat. Phaeognathus hubrichti ) is a species of caudate amphibian of the family Pulmonary salamander ( Plethodontidae ). The only representative of the genus Phaeognathus . A specific Latin name is given in honor of the American biologist Leslie Raymond Hubricht (1908-2005) [2] .
| Burrow salamander |
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| Scientific classification |
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| No rank : | Bilateral symmetrical |
| Family: | Lungless salamanders |
| Subfamily : | Plethodontinae |
| Gender: | Burrow salamanders |
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| International scientific name |
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Phaeognathus hubrichti highton, 1961 |
| Security status |
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Endangered speciesIUCN 3.1 Endangered : 16801 |
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The total length is 25-26 cm. The head is elongated, not wider than the body. Eyes are big, bulging. The body is strong, almost slender with 11–13 rib grooves. The tail is slightly compressed laterally, tapering at the end. The limbs are strong, especially the hind legs, with 4 not quite developed fingers. Color varies from gray to brown, sometimes with a black or red tint.
It settles in holes that are located on the slopes of moist, cold gorges. This salamander leads a digging lifestyle. Sometimes peeps to the surface at night or in the rain. It feeds on snails, millipedes, insects and their larvae, spiders, ticks.
Puberty occurs in 4-6 years. Mating and breeding occurs from early spring to September. Females lay eggs in their hole. Larval stage of development is absent. In the clutch there are about 15 eggs with a diameter of 7 mm.
Distributed in the south-central part of Alabama (USA) - between the rivers Alabama and Koneka. It is an official symbol of this state [3] .
