Identification help?

Hello Caudata.org.

As you probably guessed, I'm a junior biology student in need of some identification help for some salamanders I found that are going to be involved in an experiment for a final project.

These guys (3 in all) were caught in a deciduous forest in northeastern USA near a small stream. My own research online has yielded unsure and often conflicting results, and often after consulting a dichotomous key the pictures looks almost nothing like what I have.

Anyways, here are some pictures. I apologize for the low quality (my camera is pretty bad). I can provide any specific physical features you guys need that aren't apparent from the pictures.








(album: Newts/Salamanders - Imgur)

Also, can anyone point me to a comprehensive guide on keeping these guys alive and well for ~3 weeks? Will there be any problems with the larger ones eating the smaller ones?

Thanks for all your help.

It is hard to tell by the picture but it looks like it could possibly be Plethodon cinereus, they can have different coloration based on intergrades of two main types. But it might be some type of Erycea

I am getting this out of a guide, I am from the west coast so you might want to get a second opinion.

In any case they appear to be Plethodontids so care should be the same regardless.
Caudata Culture Species Entry - Plethodon cinereus & serratus

Even if they are not Plethodontids you will be able to keep them alive by following those directions. I would also recommend separating them or at least providing separate hides in a large container, because territorial aggression is likely.