Spotted Salamander

The other week we were fortunate enough to catch another spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum. These beautiful creatures are frequently 6-7 inches in length, and identified by the yellow or orange spots on its back. This specimen was discovered hiding under a log. These species are known to lay their eggs in large masses that are surrounded by a thick, jelly-like matrix. Algae sometimes colonize these masses, in what may be a symbiotic relationship posted by Brian Ulrich).