This fella is a spotted salamander, the scientific name for this species is Ambystoma maculatum. This specimen was found near Indian Creek Park in Reily, Ohio. It was about 70 degrees and mostly sunny, the day this individual was found. This specimen was found under a decomposing log about 30 yards from Indian Creek in a low laying area that supported at least four ephemeral pools. This individual was a good size at about 7.75 inches long.
This species ranges from Southern Canada down to Georgia and Texas east to the Atlantic Coast. They are early spring breeders and may migrate to woodland ponds for reproduction. They breed in fish free aquatic environment (generally temporary woodland pools). They have 11-13 costal grooves, and are marked by two irregular rows of yellow spots (some individuals display orange spots behind the eye, even rarer are individuals that have no spots in the adult life stage).

William Hauer
Miami University
Oxford Ohio