The Shenandoah Salamander was listed as federally endangered in 1989, and was first  determined to be a unique species based on genetic analysis in 1979.  This species exhibits alot of color variation in the back stripe (tan, green, yellow, brown, brick red, or coffee).  Some individuals exhibit a zigzag, broken-stripe or pencil line pattern on the back.  Some lack a dorsal stripe but may have tiny red or brassy flecking on the middle of the back. The belly of this species is dark brown or black.  The Shenandoah Salamander looks very similar in appearance to the Red-backed Salamander, but the Red-backed has a wider and darker dorsal stripe, a lighter and more mottled belly, and a narrower head. 

All photographs of Plethodon shenandoah © Lester Via.

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