The effects of repeated handling and corticosterone treatment on behavior in an amphibian (Ocoee salamander: Desmognathus ocoee)

► An amphibian specialized for a low-energy lifestyle was chronically stressed. ► Handling stress did not suppress testosterone levels or eliminate sexual behavior. ► Corticosterone had no effect on behavior but did decrease body weight. ► Sexual behavior may be relatively resistant to stressors in this amphibian because it is energetically cheap.