This study examines the behavioral and physiological mechanisms that restrict the northern gray-cheeked salamander (Plethodon montanus) to high elevation habitats. Slimy salamanders (Plethodon glutinosus) serve as a potential competitor with P. montanus where their distributional boundaries overlap. Plot surveys at Rocky Fork (RFSP) and Roan Mountain (RMSP) State Parks, Tennessee, were used to identify elevation limits and habitat environmental conditions for each species. A novel system was constructed to test behavioral preference for temperature and relative humidity in a controlled setting for each species. Habitat environmental conditions were significantly different between the species at both study locations. In controlled trials, P. montanus behavioral preference was strongly correlated with average night temperature of collection day. We used a recently developed, non-invasive method of measuring cortisol (CORT) from dermal swabs to measure the CORT response during behavioral trials and when exposed to acute stress in the field. The next phase of this study will involve testing the CORT response of both species during a reciprocal transplant study at RMSP.