Spotted Salamander
(Ambystoma maculatum)
Photo Courtesy of Bethel Ademowore
The Spotted Salamander is a heavy bodied salamander which reaches lengths of 6 - 10 inches. They range in color from black, blue-black, dark gray or dark brown. They have two rows of round yellow or orange spots from head to tail. The underside is usually slate gray. They are sometimes confused with the eastern tiger salamander. The eastern tiger salamander is larger and has irregular spots instead of the uniform pattern the spotted salamander has.
The heavy rains of spring prompt these salamanders to migrate to breeding ponds in March and April where females lay a clear or milky egg mass of over two inches in diameter. Occasionally more than one mass is laid. Each mass can contain more than 100 eggs an will often turn green due to a beneficial algae. The eggs hatch about one to two months later with 1/2 inch larvae. The larvae generally transform two to four months later and measure 2.5 inches.
The Spotted Salamander spends most of its adult life underground and adults are rarely encountered. Habitat destruction and acid rain have wiped out some local populations though clean-up efforts are helping.