The Cheat Mountain salamander is one of 30 species of salamanders in West Virginia. It is unique because it is only found in WV and nowhere else.   It belongs to a group of salamanders known as woodland  salamanders.   The Cheat Mountain salamander is a small woodland species  which only gets to be 10 centimeters in length..  It is black or dark brown with silver flecks on the top.  It is gray on the underneath side.
     The salamander eats small insects and mites, beetles, flies, and ants.
     The salamander spends the winters underground.  In warm weather, it comes out of the ground.  The females lay eggs which are attached to the inside of a rotten log or the  underside of a rock or log. They seldom leave their territories.

Reason for the species decline in population:

     The Cheat Mountain Salamander has decreased in population because of changes in their environment.  Drought, reduction of the forests by storms, and competition with other salamanders has also contributed to the decline.  Pollution such as acid precipitation may also affect their survival.

Protection:

     It is protected by the Federal Endangered Species Act since 1989.  Its habitat is in the Monongahela National Forest which protects it.