Adult length of approximately 9-10.7 cm; males are smaller than females, and have silvery white crossbands. During the breeding season, the crossbands become very white and glands around the male’s cloaca become swollen. Females are larger, and have silvery gray crossbands. There is considerable variation in the crossbanding pattern, as in some individuals they are extensively connected, and in others the connection is minimal. A terrestrial mole salamander, the marbled salamander is also identified as having wide, protruding eyes, prominent costal grooves, thick arms, and rounded tails.