This black-bellied salamander was remarkably tame as it perched on a rock in a cool mountain stream in the Smoky Mountains. This one seems to have a few large scars on its face. The individuals fight over prime real estate, with each having a territory of around 190 square inches. No wonder they are always fighting! Studies suggest the scars are usually on the head of larger salamanders like this one while often on the tail of smaller individuals. So it appears the larger ones tend to stay and fight while the smaller ones run away. Judging by the deep scars on its face this is a noble amphibian warrior
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