Communication: A male red-back follows the scent trail of a female. As he approaches, she smells on him, the remnant odour of another female. Lifting her body, she looks directly at him in a territorial display. If submissive, he would lay flat, looking away, but instead he continues to pursue the female. The female begins to bite at him and chases him out of her territory. Red-backed salamanders communicate largely through pheromones and chemical cues, picking up with nasolabial grooves. These act as chemical receptors located between the nostril and the mouth. Different chemicals cues can be used to mark territory or to communicate one’s intentions which can often lead to disputes. Males are more likely to behave aggressively towards other males while females do not discriminate
Parental Care: Eastern red-backed salamanders make great mothers! Unlike many species, these salamanders lay their eggs on land under leaves logs. The mother will also stay with them until they hatch, during this time she will protect them from other salamanders and tend to them regularly, cleaning them so that fungus doesn’t grow on the eggs, harming the developing embryos inside. Her skin is also host to a number of bacteria, the most notable is 𝘓𝘺𝘴𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘶𝘴 which produces the chemical
2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol, this inhibits the growth of fungus. While this helps keep the eggs clean of harmful fungi, it has also proven effective in stopping the growth of B-sal, a fungal pathogen that has plagued salamanders in other parts of the world. |