Spotted Salamander

 

Spotted Salamander   (Ambystoma maculatum )

Spotted Salamanders are rather large compared to any of our other local salamanders and can grow up to 25 cm in total length, although most don’t exceed 15 cm. Adults are dark grey to black with distinct yellow spots on the back, sides, tail, head and legs. No other salamander in Canada have distinct yellow spots.  

 

Spotted Salamanders preferred habitat is deciduous or mixed forests and hillsides in close proximity of the breeding ponds. In the early spring they migration towards their annual breeding ponds. Each female will lay eggs which she attaches to submerged sticks or other vegetation. The eggs hatch into aquatic larvae after four to seven weeks. The larvae are active predators and feed on any animal available including other salamander larvae. The larvae transform into terrestrial juveniles by the end of summer. 

Other than the breeding season, Spotted Salamanders spend most of their time buried in the soil or in the leaf litter on the forest floor where they feed on worms, insects and other invertebrate.