Accidental Herp find in NE Mississippi

[jcb118]

I was catching worms to feed my taricha near the shore of a body of water. I was overjoyed to find something more beneath a rotten log on a heavily wooded hillside with water seeping out of the ground. The weather there has been increasingly warm, touching 80 a few days, and no real freezes in about 4-6 weeks. Apologies for the poor pictures. I could kick myself for the white background.
Plethodon websteri (I think)

 

[jcb118]

I released the subjects after a brief photo shoot and removing the styrofoam ball from his face. Think I found a breeding pair?

 

[IanF]

Great pictures! Suprisining that you found them both together, it is breeding season though.

 

[jcb118]

Plethodon websteri (I think)

Exchanged emails with a local herpetologist who informs me that based on geography this is actually Plethodon dorsalis, and not P. websteri.
Additionally he says the coloration appears to be much more subdued than in websteri, which have all been seen with red/orange tails. Dorsalis are known to have a "leadback" phase, which these appear to be.

 

[Kaysie]

Good find. Glad you ID'd it.