Mole Mole Mole Mole Mole. Natural History: Ambystoma talpoideum

We went to Caw-Caw Interpretive Center for a Herpetology lab a couple of weeks ago and trudged through the swamps in the hopes to find some interesting organisms. Multiple traps were set up in the water to help us find some cool “herps.” Most of what was found in the traps were tadpoles and a couple of small salamanders.

After all of the traps were found and observed, we were able to explore and try to find some organisms of our own using nets and rakes (to move logs). While walking in the woods, I began to overturn a couple of logs on the wet, muddy ground. After flipping one over, I noticed some movement and was able to capture this salamander (as seen in the included pictures). 

After thourouhly observing the salamander, we were able to identify it as Ambyostomatidae Ambystoma talpoideum. Salamanders from the family Ambyostomatidae are commonly as a group known as mole salamanders. The common name for this one in particular is actually the Mole Salamander (Although, I personally named it Salvadore). There were many characteristics that helped us to determine this salamander’s species. 

First and foremost, the robust body and relatively flattened head were key indicators that it was from the family Ambyostomatidae. It had four digits in the front and five digits in the back. These salamanders are typically medium to large when considering body size. This little guy in particular was approximately four inches when stretched out. Another key point in identifying this creature was the fact that it had costal grooves and a laterally flattened tail. The costal grooves are a means to keep the salamander’s skin moist and help with water transfer over the surface of its body. The laterally flattened tail (amongst other characteristics) helps to indicate that, while it is terrestrial, it can survive in a somewhat aquatic or wet environment. 

We were unable to determine the sex of this particular organism, but we were able to identify what species it was. Although not featured in the pictures provided, this salamander had small light blue flecks along its sides. At first, our guess was in between two species: the mole salamander (Ambystoma talpoideum) and the Mabee’s salamander (Ambystoma mabeei). After looking in the field guide for characteristics of each, we discovered that both obtain very similar attributes. Both are approximately the same size (3-4 inches) and have very similar colorations. Both species can be characterized with the pale blue flecks, but it is more typical for the Mabee’s salamander to have more. We concluded that it was the Mole Salamander because of its dark brown coloration with its few pale blue flecks on its lower sides. Additionally, this salamander was way more short and stocky w ith disproportionately large head and feet (the Maybee’s salamander conversely has a smaller head and longer toes). 

Salvadore the Mole Salamnder was definitely a metamorphic adult, not to be confused with a paedomorphic adult. We were able to tell the difference because, even though the tail was laterally flattened, its feet and digits were an indicator as well as the fact that it had eyelids. Again, this species is commonly terrestrial, but some can return to a more aquatic environment to breed. They have internal fertilization and cloacal swelling on adults when breeding is occurring. 

Overall, I was super excited to have found this little gem during the field trip. As much as I wanted to take him home, I knew that returning him was what was best. I went back into the woods and back to the log I found him under. I moved the log again and released him into some muddy water beneath the log prior to gently placing the log in its original place. I do hope that he lives out his life and has cute little salamander babies in the near future.