Wildlife Wednesday: Eastern Red-backed Salamander

by Zander Hine, Student Board Member

When I was little, I would go out into my backyard, lift up a rock, and find little critters running around underneath. One of my most common finds was this little guy. The Eastern Red-Backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) is the most common salamander in Maryland and a big part of my childhood. They were so fun to catch and feel wriggle around in your hands. These salamanders rely on the watershed and the moist forests of Maryland to be able to live successfully. They eat invertebrates and serve as useful food for predators, so it is important for them to stay around. Currently, they are very common in Maryland, and it would be harmful if that changed, so remember to always be mindful of local animals’ habitats.