In the Chautauqua-Allegheny Region we have two species of dusky salamanders that have a lot in common. Do you have any idea which dusky this is? I’ll give you a hint: take a good look at the tail of this individual. Give up? This is a Northern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus), often mistaken for its relative the Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus ochrophaeus). Northern duskies have a distinctive keel on their tail whereas mountain duskies have round tails from base to tip, making it a little easier to tell the two very similar species apart. As you are getting out and enjoying the last bits of summer try your hand at identifying these secretive and similar amphibians!
