Spotted Salamander

Spotted Salamder

Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum):

The spotted salamander has dark gray or blueish black skin with two rows of orange or yellow spots down their backs. They are considered to be large salamanders because they can grow up to 9 inches long. They reside in dark, damp places such as forests near pools of water or near ponds. They can be found under logs, rocks, and underground. Due to their permeable skin, they must be able to stay moist.

The Spotted Salamander eats spiders, slugs, snails, worms, and other bugs and can also be known to eat smaller salamanders. Their skin secretes a toxin from their backs and tails to deter their predators which are animals such as snakes, turtles, raccoons, skunks, opossums, chipmunks, and squirrels.

Katrina BergmanSpotted Salamander