Amphibians

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has designated the Eastern Hellbender (cryptobranchus alleganiensis, also known as waterdog) as a species of concern. Development, road construction, and poor land-use practices lead to erosion and stream siltation, thereby eliminating egg development habitat. In many areas, only larger and older adults are found, suggesting that reproduction or survival at early stages is limited.

Management actions include:

• Population surveys via snorkeling
• Nest box habitat augmentation
• Environmental DNA surveys

The Southern Appalachians are the hot spot of the planet in terms of amphibian diversity. A total of 19 salamander species have been recorded on EBCI lands, 10 of which are species of conservation concern. There are likely many more species present but have gone undocumented. We are currently conducting comprehensive diversity surveys of all amphibians occurring on tribal lands to complete an inventory of species.