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Description
When following in another's footsteps, mind you don't step on the rest of us.

Never assume that it is just a log. It has never been just a log.

Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

"Intensive timber harvesting destroys the habitat of the eastern red-backed salamander; the removal of the forest canopy radically alters the local microclimate, probably because of increased penetration of sunlight. Even forested areas adjacent to roads, clearcuts and utility corridors have reduced salamander numbers that are probably due to such microclimatic changes. Overall, this species does not appear to be declining in significant numbers.
Eastern red-backed salamanders usually breed in the fall but sometimes do so in the spring. The females breed in their third year and thereafter may breed only in alternate years. They lay from three to 15 eggs in June or July in a rotting stump or log. The females tend the eggs for six to eight weeks and stay with the hatchlings for one to three weeks. When the larvae first hatch, they have small gills, but these are soon absorbed and the young then resemble the adults.
This species, which defends its small territory from other salamanders and tends to wander very little, eat a variety of small terrestrial invertebrates and is sometimes cannibalistic.
The eastern red-backed salamander is most commonly observed in deciduous or mixed forests but may also be found in cool, moist white pine or hemlock forests. The species is restricted to mature woodlands with lots of fallen logs, coarse woody debris and leaf litter. This salamander may hide underground on hot, dry days. It usually hibernates underground but may also overwinter in small mammal dens or even ant mounds.
The species has been designated as a Specially Protected Amphibian under the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act."
-Ontario Nature

Description
When following in another's footsteps, mind you don't step on the rest of us.

Never assume that it is just a log. It has never been just a log.

Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

"Intensive timber harvesting destroys the habitat of the eastern red-backed salamander; the removal of the forest canopy radically alters the local microclimate, probably because of increased penetration of sunlight. Even forested areas adjacent to roads, clearcuts and utility corridors have reduced salamander numbers that are probably due to such microclimatic changes. Overall, this species does not appear to be declining in significant numbers.
Eastern red-backed salamanders usually breed in the fall but sometimes do so in the spring. The females breed in their third year and thereafter may breed only in alternate years. They lay from three to 15 eggs in June or July in a rotting stump or log. The females tend the eggs for six to eight weeks and stay with the hatchlings for one to three weeks. When the larvae first hatch, they have small gills, but these are soon absorbed and the young then resemble the adults.
This species, which defends its small territory from other salamanders and tends to wander very little, eat a variety of small terrestrial invertebrates and is sometimes cannibalistic.
The eastern red-backed salamander is most commonly observed in deciduous or mixed forests but may also be found in cool, moist white pine or hemlock forests. The species is restricted to mature woodlands with lots of fallen logs, coarse woody debris and leaf litter. This salamander may hide underground on hot, dry days. It usually hibernates underground but may also overwinter in small mammal dens or even ant mounds.
The species has been designated as a Specially Protected Amphibian under the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act."
-Ontario Nature