for salamander survival. In the south, the northern dusky salamander can be found in upland streams as well as floodplains, sloughs and muddy sites. Behavior and ecology The species uses subterranean retreats or burrows near the streams edge as well as leaf litter, logs, rocks and moss as a source of protective cover for avoiding desiccation and predators. These microhabitats are also important for foraging and nesting both of which take place on land close to the water's edge. As a result of desiccation and predators, activity of the northern dusky salamander peaks in the morning, and the evening and early night. Alongside the stream, females nest in cryptic microhabitats where soil is saturated with water. Their eggs are often laid in logs, under rocks or moss, or stream-bank cavities. During development while in the larval stage, the northern dusky salamander is strictly aquatic, its habitat the interstitial spaces between rocks of the streambed. In winter, they remain in shallow running water, whereas adults overwinter in subterranean retreats or in streams, often remaining active throughout winter if the substrate doesn't freeze. As a relatively small amphibian, the northern dusky salamander spends most of its life in hiding. If predated it is capable of autotomy along any point of its tail, but lacks chemical defense mechanisms against its main predators which include larger salamanders, birds, fish, snakes, crayfish, and small mammals. known as maybe rodents or mice The home range of the northern dusky salamander is limited to 1m2 to 3.6 m2. The northern dusky salamander has seasonal variations with its patterns of movement. During warmer months the salamanders have larger home ranges that average around 1.5 m2. This is reduced during the winter and some populations move into specific areas for condensed winter retreats. Reproduction and development Due to their lack of mobility, some populations of dusky salamander are genetically distinct. Breeding is terrestrial and occurs annually in spring or fall and includes elaborate courtship rituals. Adult males have papillose cloacal lips and a small mental gland. These glandular tissues become enlarged when sexually active. Female individuals lack a mental gland and have folded cloacal lips. For reproduction, the male applies the snout, cheeks and mental gland to the snout of the female, who usually responds by picking up the spermatophore. Fecundity increases with body size. Females normally deposit between 10 and 30 eggs under logs, moss or rocks located