Ambystoma maculatum
Spotted Salamander
Photo taken by C. Slesar.
Photo credit unknown.
Photos of egg masses are below.
More images from google
Egg masses
Identification
The Spotted Salamander is the largest of Vermont’s three mole salamanders. It grows up to 9 inches long. It is a black salamander with bright yellow spots. Spotteds have strong legs and a broad flat head.
They spend most of the year underground in shrew, mole, or mouse tunnels, hence the term mole salamander. They move to deeper tunnels to overwinter below the frost line.
Range/Habitat
Spotted Salamanders feed and overwinter in upland hardwood and mixed forests. They breed in vernal pools, beaver ponds, or old farm ponds. The Spotted Salamander is found statewide.
Status
This species has a state natural heritage rank of S5 (common). The Spotted Salamander also has been designated a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (medium priority) in Vermont’s Wildlife Action Plan. Please report all sightings of this species in Vermont. Take photos (or videos!) if possible. Even historic sighting information is useful.
More Info
- Ambystoma maculatum at Animal Diversity website
- Ambystoma maculatum at Amphibiaweb
- Ambystoma maculatum at the CARCNET website
- Ambystoma maculatum in the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Action Plan (PDF)
- Ambystoma maculatum at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History website
Species summary written by Kaile Burgess.
Mating Salamanders in Water
Video by Chris Fastie, copyright ©2002. Used by permission.
He writes, "About 200 spotted salamanders were in my backyard pond in Salisbury, Vermont on April 9, 2002. It was a rainy evening, but the rain had stopped so the salamanders could be seen well in the water."