These salamanders were common near a small stream flowing through Sosebee Cove. Being used to laid-back California salamanders that usually either sit perfectly still or slowly plod away when exposed, I was amazed at how quickly these (and other species I saw) could move. When exposed or picked up, they would spring forward like frogs and then thrash their bodies from side to side to vanish almost instantly into a hole or beneath the leaf litter.

The first two pictures are of younger salamanders, which are more brightly colored. The third picture is of a much less colorful older salamander.

This salamander was split off from the species Desmognathus ochrophaeus recently, and many books still include it in that species.