Ambystoma maculatum
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: Animalia |
| Phylum: Chordata |
| Class: Amphibia |
| Order: Urodela |
| Family: Ambystomatidae |
| Genus: Ambystoma |
| Species: Ambystoma maculatum |
Conservation Status
Identifying Features
Spotted salamaders are typically gray or black colored with irregular rows of large bright yellow or orange spots from head to tail. They have a stocky build with a broad snout and can grow to around 4-6 inches in length.
Habitat & Range
Spotted salamanders live in moisty, low-lying forests throughout eastern Canada and United States. They frequently spend their time hidden away under logs or rocks or underground in burrows.
Behavior
Spotted salamanders are secretive and will rarely come above ground from their hiding location. At night, they will emerge only to feed and forage and will retreat underground once that is finished.
Life Cycle
Spotted salamanders will emerge from their hiding spots at night to mate. During the spring season, they will wait for heavy rainfall and may even travel long distances to find a suitable pool of water to lay their eggs.
Featured image by Teresa Yonder.