Desmognathus fuscus
Silhouette: Beth Reinke · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~20%
Desmognathus fuscus is a species of amphibian in the family Plethodontidae (lungless salamanders). The species is commonly called the dusky salamander or northern dusky salamander to distinguish it from populations in the southern United States which form several distinct species, the southern dusky salamanders (D. auriculatus, D. valentinei). The northern dusky salamander is the most widespread representative of its genus in Canada. It can be found in eastern North America from extreme eastern Canada in New Brunswick south to South Carolina. The size of the species' total population is unknown, but is assumed to easily exceed 100,000. The species' habitat differs somewhat geographically; dusky salamanders in the northern part of the range prefer rocky woodland streams, seepages, and springs, while those in the south favor floodplains, sloughs, and muddy places along upland streams. They are most common where water is running or trickling. They hide under various objects, such as leaves or rocks, either in or near water. Alternatively, they may enter burrows for protection. The dusky salamander lays its eggs close to water under moss or rocks, in logs, or in stream-bank cavities. The larval stage which follows is normally aquatic. Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shenandoah National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
More parks will be added in future updates.
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | New York City | 🇺🇸 United States |
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Dusky Salamander sighting in Washington on a given day, based on 58 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 16th most-seen of the 18 amphibians we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 20%, if each day is a fresh chance.
February
In that month about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Dusky Salamander in Washington on a given day, against under 5% in March to January, the lowest months.
Between 11 am and 2 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Dusky Salamander sightings with a recorded time, and about 8 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Yes
Of the 2 cities where we can rate Dusky Salamander sightings, Washington has the highest daily chance: under 5%. Next come New York City (United States, under 5%).
Same family: Plethodontidae
The closest relatives of the Dusky Salamander that you can see in Washington (family Plethodontidae, Lungless Salamanders) are Eastern Red-backed Salamander (about 20%) and Northern Two-lined Salamander (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Dusky Salamander is recorded against all the amphibians logged in Washington (58 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
