Flip over a flat rock in a shallow stream and you may be rewarded with the find of a Two-lined Salamander. These sallies spend most of their active life in moving water, hunting for insects and tiny crustaceans. They can also be found along the edges of vernal pools and a variety of other habitats, including under rotting logs in damp forests.
This is a picture of an egg mass taken in August in the town of Stafford Springs. The mass is attached to the underside of a flat rock in the middle of a swift flowing, shallow stream.
I've also come across their larvae at different times of the year. 2-lines can take a few years to develop and as a result, can grow to a good size. They are speckled with tendrilly (is that a word?) gills.
They resemble, in a way, the abundant Red-backed Salamander, but notice the two yellow stripes running down its dorsal sides, not present in Red-backs. The 2-line also has a very long and thin tail, longer than its body.
This salamander has a very long season of activity. I've found them from February to November!
Dusky Salamander(Desmognathus fuscus)
Dusky Salamanders can be found in the same habitats as the 2-lined. I've come across them in shallow streams, vernal pools, and seeps.
They have a stocky look to them with heavier legs than the 2-lined, and a darker, more uniform color. Note the blue/gray speckling on the sides.
Also note the flattened, dorsally keeled tail. They are excellent swimmers! I've noticed that when held in the hand, they wriggle with an eel-like motion. When handling, hold them close to the ground or water, so they won't get injured if they slip out of your hand.
Duskies lay their eggs OUT of the water, but nearby. They are deposited under logs and rocks. When they hatch, they remain on land for a short period before entering the water to finish their development. Their larvae are similar to 2-line larvae, but develop more rapidly, usually maturing by next spring.
