Roan Mountain State Park, Carter Co., TN, and Cherokee National Forest, Carter, Sullivan, and Unicoi Cos., TN (13 May 2009)

Graham Reynolds and I went to the Cherokee National Forest and Roan State Park in northeast Tennessee in search of a few salamanders that we embarrassingly had not seen yet in Tennessee. Our first stop was to Roan Mountain State Park in Carter County then over to the Cedar Mountain Area in Carter County.  Next we headed to Holston Mountain around Low Gap on the border of Carter and Sullivan Counties. Finally we headed up to the Appalachian Trail on TN-NC border in Unicoi County.  We were not disappointed. Weather was pleasant with temperatures in the mid to upper 60s in the mountains and partly cloudy skies.

Roan Mountain State Park (Carter County, TN):

     Desmognathus fuscus (Northern Dusky Salamander) 5 adults
     Desmognathus orestes (Blue Ridge Dusky Salamander) 25+ adults
     Desmognathus quadramaculatus (Black-Bellied Salamander) 2 adults
     Plethodon cinereus (Northern Red-Backed Salamander) 1 adult
     Plethodon cylindraceus (White-Spotted Slimy Salamander) 10+ adults and juveniles
     Plethodon montanus (Northern Gray-Cheeked Salamander) 20+ adults and juveniles
     Plethodon yonahlossee (Yonahlossee Salamander) 1 adult

Cherokee National Forest, Cedar Mountain area (Carter County, TN):

     Desmognathus orestes (Blue Ridge Dusky Salamander) 1 adult
     Plethodon cylindraceus (White-Spotted Slimy Salamander) 5 adults and juveniles
     Diadophis punctatus edwardsii (Northern Ring-Necked Snake) 1 adult and 1 juvenile

Cherokee National Forest, Holston Mountain (Carter-Sullivan Counties, TN):
     Desmognathus orestes (Blue Ridge Dusky Salamander) 3 adults
     Plethodon cinereus (Northern Red-Backed Salamander) 1 adult
     Plethodon cylindraceus (White-Spotted Slimy Salamander) 20+ adults and juveniles
     Plethodon richmondi (Southern Ravine Salamander) 15+ adults and juveniles
     Plethodon yonahlossee (Yonahlossee Salamander) 1 adult

Cherokee National Forest, Indian Grave Gap (Unicoi County, TN):

     Plethodon cylindraceus (White-Spotted Slimy Salamander) 20+ adults and juveniles
     Plethodon montanus (Northern Gray-Cheeked Salamander) 1 adult
     Plethodon welleri (Weller's Salamander) 1 juvenile


Desmognathus fuscus (Northern Dusky Salamander) Carter County, TN



Desmognathus orestes (Blue Ridge Dusky Salamander) Carter County, TN


Desmognathus quadramaculatus (Black-Bellied Salamander) Carter County, TN


Plethodon cinereus (Northern Red-Backed Salamander) Carter County, TN



Plethodon cylindraceus (White-Spotted Slimy Salamander) Carter County, TN



Plethodon cylindraceus (White-Spotted Slimy Salamander) Carter-Sullivan Counties, TN


Plethodon cylindraceus (White-Spotted Slimy Salamander) small juvenile, Carter-Sullivan Counties, TN



Plethodon montanus (Northern Gray-Cheeked Salamander) Carter County, TN



Plethodon richmondi (Southern Ravine Salamander) Carter-Sullivan Counties, TN


Plethodon yonahlossee (Yonahlossee Salamander) Carter County, TN


Plethodon yonahlossee (Yonahlossee Salamander) Carter-Sullivan Counties, TN

Plethodon welleri (Weller's Salamander) small juvenile


Diadophis punctatus edwardsii (Northern Ring-Necked Snake) Carter County, TN

All images property of Matthew L Niemiller unless noted otherwise.

To use any images on this site please contact me at:  mniemill@utk.edu

© 2009