The Tennessee cave salamander was adopted as the official state amphibian of Tennessee in 1995. The Tennessee cave salamander has three red external gills, a broad, flat head with small lidless eyes, and a tail fin. Coloring ranges from nearly white to dark brown with spots. This large salamander (4 - 9" long) is usually found in limestone caves containing streams in central and southeast Tennessee.

Salamanders breathe through their skin and are very sensitive to their environment - they have little tolerance for environmental pollution. A recent study estimated that salamander and frog populations around the globe have decreased 60-70% over the past few decades.

The Tennessee cave salamander (Gyrino-philu palleucus) is threatened and under consideration for listing as an endangered species. Other species of salamander that can be found in Tennessee caves: Dusky (Desmognathus fuscus), Cave (Eurycea lucifuga), Longtail (Eurycea longicauda longicauda) and Northern Slimy (Plethodon glutinosus).