Red Cave Salamander
Usually Found: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Kansas, Indiana, & Ohio, USA
This species has a few different names. While they are known as the Red Cave Salamander, others call it the Spotted-Tail Salamander or simply “Cave Salamanders.” All make sense. It is distinct for its reddish-orange coloring. While the body is typically red or orange, it also has black spots all over the head, body, and tail. Of course, they also live and mostly exist inside cave environments. Usually, they will be found in either limestone or sandstone caves.
Here they prey on various insects and arachnids, as well as worms and snails. One interesting thing about this amphibian species is that it is relatively large (4 to 8 inches) but also lungless. Its large prehensile tail makes up 60 to 65% of the total body. What is so compelling is that in spite of lacking lungs, it gets around just fine outside of water environments.