About
The Shenandoah Salamander is a small salamander found only in a few high-elevation areas of Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. It relies on cool, moist forest habitats and breathes through its skin, making it especially sensitive to changes in its environment. This species is endangered because of its extremely limited range, habitat changes, climate change, and competition with the more widespread red-backed salamander.
The Shenandoah Salamander is important not only because it is found nowhere else in the world, but also because salamanders play an important role in forest ecosystems by helping control invertebrate populations and contributing to healthy soils.
Protecting the Shenandoah Salamander’s habitat helps preserve this small but important part of Appalachian biodiversity.