I finally located a Northern Red Salamander in it’s original habitat. These large robust salamanders have a two stage life cycle like most amphibians. The gilled aquatic larva can be found in clear, unpolluted creeks and seeps that feed into larger bodies of water. Adults, as shown here, are also found in and around these aquatic environments often under, leaf litter, rocks or fallen logs. The adults may also seek refuge further away from the stream but return to breed in them towards late Fall and early Winter. Young adults are strikingly colorful usually red to orange with random black spots on the topside of its body. The color may darken with age. One distinguishing feature between this species and the mud salamander is that the Reds usually have a yellow iris.