This Plethedon cinereus was found on 3/26/09 near a small ephemeral pond near Rush Run in Somerville, Ohio. It was about 50 degrees F and a bit overcast with light wind gusts. This individual was found under a decomposing log about 2m from the edge of a small ephemeral pond about 20-30 feet in diameter. These individuals are terrestrial undergoing larval development within the egg. This individual was about 2.75 in. long, and this species ranges from 2.25 - 4 in. in length.
Identifiers of this species are the large red mid-dorsal stripe and an black belly mottled with spots. usually they have 19 costal grooves but can range 17-22 in number. Variations in color of the mid-dorsal stripe can occur in blue, gray, yellow, and led-backed (absence of stripe), but red is most common. They produce 6-9 eggs per clutch, usually in rotting wood, from a pedicel. They are the top predator in the detritus food chain. They range from southern Canada to the Carolinas and east of Minnesota to the Atlantic coast.

William Hauer
Miami University, Student