Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Life History: Spotted salamander


Family: Ambystomatidae
Common name: spotted salamander
Scientific: Ambystoma maculatum

                The spotted salamander has been my favorite herpetological find so far this spring.  Upon finding one for the first time, I was very surprised at how large it was!  I had always thought of salamanders as small worm-like creatures with short slimy legs.  The spotted salamander was rather large (approximately 6-7 inches) and easily fit in my hand.  It was really neat and fun to find!

Description:  The spotted salamander is grows to the lengths of 6-10”.  It is stoutly built and is often black, blue-black, dark gray, or dark brown, with 2 irregular rows of round, yellow or orange spots.  These spots begin on the head and continue to the tail tip.  The belly of a spotted salamander is usually slate-gray.  There are usually 12 costal grooves.  Their diet includes insects, spiders, millipedes, slugs, and worms.  Some distinguishing features of the spotted are 1) the round, bright yellow spots in two rows, 2) light gray belly with possibly silver flecks, and 3) adults have a light gray lower lip and throat.




Habitat/Range:  Spotted salamanders are often found in hardwood forests and hillsides around pools and flooded depressions.  They range from south-central Ontario to Nova Scotia, south to Georgia, and east to Texas.  Spotted salamanders are rarely found south of Georgia.  This species of salamander is often confused with the tiger salamander.  The tiger is similar in body size and color except for the spot pattern.  Thes spotted salamander has spots arranged in rows, while tiger salamanders have blotches of spots.




Life History/Breeding:  The spotted salamander is an aquatic breeder; meaning all courtship, breeding, and egg-laying occur underwater.  The salamanders hit the pools for breeding during the first warm rains of spring.  In the north, this breeding event can occur between March and April, while in the South and in the Smokey Mountains, it can be anywhere between December and February.  Each female lays a compact, clear mass of approximately 100 eggs.  This glob of eggs is usually attached to twigs or branches submerged in the pond.  The larvae hatch 4-7 weeks later and are approximately 0.5” long.  Then these small larvae transform via metamorphosis 2-4 months later at some point in the summer.  After metamorphosis, sexual maturity is not reached until 4-5 years old and the spotted salamander may live to be over 20 years old.

Fun Fact:  Spotted salamanders return to the same mating pool via the same route every year.

1 comment:

To Love What is Mortal said...

Thanks, Chris. They are hard not to love.