Spotted salamander
(Ambystoma maculatum)

IDENTIFICATION: Ranges in size between 11.2-19.7 cm. Record longest 24.8 cm. A large salamander that is dark brown to black with bright yellow spots. The only similar species is the Eastern tiger salamander (A. tigrinum) which has irregularly shaped yellow spots and an olive-yellow belly and is not found in eastern PA.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY: The primary breeding sites of the Spotted salamander include woodland vernal ponds. Protecting a 200- to 250-m radius of deciduous forest around these ponds is essential for maintaining healthy local populations of the spotted salamander. Another concern is the increase in acid precipitation along the eastern United States resulting in a decrease in the pH of the soils.
BREEDING/LARVAE: Adult males and females begin migrating to breeding ponds in winter and early spring. The actual breeding season can last anywhere between 3 days to over two months. Males normally outnumber females 1.5 to 3.5 times. After 2-3 days of mating, females begin depositing eggs, a waiting a long incubation period (4-6 weeks).
HABITAT: Occasionally found beneath logs or stones in moist or wet weather. The Spotted salamander is most likely found in mature deciduous forests with vernal ponds. They also inhabit coniferous and mixed coniferous-deciduous forests.
PREDATOR: A few main predators of the eggs include adult red-spotted newts, caddisfly, and midge larvae despite the protective coating of the egg. The larvae is eaten by a variety of aquatic insects and other predators.
FOOD: Adults feed on a variety of insects, earthworms, spiders, and mollusks found on the forest floor.
RANGE: Occur in portions of Canada and much of the eastern United States.
     

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