Desmognathus identification

[Kent]

Just wondering if anyone could identify any of these salamanders I found in southeastern North Carolina at about 4500 feet elevation. Not all might be Desmognathus and some might be the same, but I would like any kind of help with IDs that I can get.

 

[Kaysie]

Desmog ID is notoriously difficult. Have you looked at distribution maps to see what is in the area?

Pic 2 and 3 aren't Desmogs. 2 is probably a juvenile Slimy Sal, and 3 is a redback.

 

[Kent]

Thank you for the help! I've looked at some distribution maps, and Desmognathus ocoee is the only one in the area that looks similar to the ones I saw, so that is a possibility for the first and fourth one. And I am sorry for my typo, it was in southWESTERN North Carolina that I found these, near the border of Franklin and Haywood counties.

 

[Kaysie]

This site might help, but I gather the comples is about as clear as mud.

 

[Kent]

Thanks! I did see this when searching shortly after getting home last month but didn't look through it well. The pictures look a lot like ocoee. Do you know if juveniles look drastically or even a little different than adults? And is the reddish-cheek patch a morph or the norm for D. ocoee?

 

[Kent]

Could pic number 2 be Plethodon teyahalee?