Rufescent Salamander

About the Rufescent Salamander

The northern banana salamander (Bolitoglossa rufescens), also known as common dwarf salamander or rufescent salamander, is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae (lungless salamanders). It is found in the Atlantic slopes of Meso-America from San Luis Potosi, Veracruz, and northern Chiapas in Mexico continuing on to the southern part of Guatemala, Belize, and northern Honduras. However, its range south of Mexico is uncertain because the records may refer to other species.

The northern banana salamanders are small terrestrial, arboreal salamanders. Their size ranges from 35–36 mm (1.4–1.4 in) snout–vent length and 65–70 mm (2.6–2.8 in) total length. It dwells in tropical and subtropical moist lowland rain forests and mountain ecosystems, as well as in citrus orchards, banana plantations, and pine plantations. Predominantly found in bromeliads in tropical and subtropical wet forests.

B.rufescens is dorsally pale brown to tan brown in color and on paler species it may consist of dorsal longitudinal streaks or specks. The ventral area in most species is grey or paler than the dorsal color, in some the coloring might be uniform. A dark brown streaks... Wikipedia →