Four-toed Salamander - Hemidactylium scutatum

This is the smallest salamander found in Connecticut. They are reddish brown with white bellies that have black specks. Unlike other lungless salamanders, this species has four toes on its hind feet, rather than five.

This poor creature had somehow lost its tail. It has the ability to detach its tail at the distinct basal constriction if grabbed by a potential predator. After detaching, the tail wiggles to distract the predator, while the salamander escapes. The tail will eventually grow back.

Habitat: Under a log in a mixed swamp