The Red-backed Salamander mostly lives on land, mainly on the forest floors of eastern North America. It has a bright red or orange stripe on its body that helps it blend in with the leaf litter. Another morph called Lead Salamanders shows no red pigmentations. Both have speckled undersides.

Interestingly, it is a part of the Plethodontidae family, which comprises lungless salamanders. Their respiration method is breathing through their skin and mouth. 

These terrestrial salamanders primarily feed on insects such as centipedes, spiders, and snails.