The legs are short and stout with four toes on front and rear, the inner toes are longer than the outer. There are 15 costal grooves. Juveniles have a dark mid-dorsal stripe flanked by pale tan stripes and dark sides. The stripes gradually break up to leave scattered dark spots on the adult ground color. Males can be identified by the longitudinal slit, wrinkled at the margins.
Females have a simple slit.
Fertilization is internal, with the male depositing a spermatophore. The female then deposits the developing eggs in spring or summer and attends them until hatch in 38-63 days. This species is endemic to North Carolina, living in the main streams and larger tributaries of the Neuse and Tar rivers, from above the tidewater region to the lower piedmont. It is listed as a state special concern species. Four toes are on each foot, outer toes are shorter than the inner.