Red back salamander (Plethodon cinereus):
Red-backed salamanders are common across North America and grow to be about 5 inches in length. They have black bodies and a gray and white belly. While they are called “red-backed” salamanders, not all of them have the color red on their backs. Some other colors seen on the species are light gray, dull yellow, and pink. There are also some that appear to have no colored stripe on their backs and they are referred to as “lead backs.”
Red-backed Salamanders live in forest areas and are found under dried leaves, logs, rocks, and in rotting tree stumps. They come out at night after it has rained to hunt for their food which consists of spiders and insects like ants and mites. When faced with a predator, the two types of red-backed salamanders react differently. The red-backed type stays perfectly still, trying to pose as the toxic red-spotted newt, while the lead phase salamanders tend to run away.
Red Back Salamander