Description: 2-4 in. (6.4-10 cm). This small, round-tailed salamander gets its name from its resemblance to other salamander. In particular, the Imitator Salamander typically has yellow, orange, or red cheek patches, making it very similar in appearance to the Jordan's salamander.  Adults generally have wavy interrupted stripes along the sides and back.  The belly is usually gray and the tail round. As in other Dusky Salamander species, old adults are often darkly colored and lack prominent markings.
Range and Habitat: The Imitator Salamander is restricted to the Great Smoky, Balsam, and Plott Balsam Mountains in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. It is common along small streams, wet rock faces and saturated leaf litter and gravel, and under logs.
Habits: Imitator Salamanders are most active at night, spending the day hidden under leaves, rocks, and logs.
Breeding: Although the life history of this species is not well known, it appears that they breed in the fall and spring, laying eggs under racks in springs and seeps.

Range of the Imitator Salamander in the Carolinas and Virginia