Marbled Salamander
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The Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) is a widespread species of Mole salamander found in the southeastern United States.
Description
The Marbled Salamander is a stocky, boldly banded salamander. The bands of females tend to be gray, while those of males are more white. Adults can grow to about 11 cm, (4 inches), a bit small compared to other members of its genus. Like most of the Mole salamanders, it is secretive, spending most of its life under logs or in burrows. It is most frequently encountered when moving towards breeding ponds in the fall.
Habitat and range
The Marbled Salamander is found in the southeastern United States, from southern New England to northern Florida, and west to Illinois and Texas. Its habitat is damp woodlands and forests. Seasonally flooded areas are essential for breeding, but the salamanders do not normally enter the water.
Life cycle
Adults spend most of their lives underground, and in deep leaf litter, but wander at night during the breeding season. Breeding takes place in fall, typically September to December. Females lay eggs in clusters of up to 120 under logs or in clumps of vegetation in low areas that are likely to flood during winter rains. Eggs hatch the same fall or winter if rains come, but they may overwinter and hatch the following spring. Larvae typically mature in as little as two months in the southern part of their range, but take up to six months to mature in the northern part.
Marbled Salamanders, like other members of this genus, are reported to have relatively long life spans, ten years or more.
Feeding
Adults take terrestrial invertebrates such as worms, insects, centipedes, and mollusks (snails, slugs). Larvae take small aquatic animals (zooplankton), but larger individuals will take eggs and larvae of other amphibians as well.External links
References
- Hammerson (2004). [Ambystoma opacum]. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and a brief justification of why this species is of least concern
- James W. Petranka (1998), Salamanders of the United States and Canada, Smithsonian Books. ISBN 1560988282
- Thomas F. Tyning (1990), A Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles, Little, Brown. ISBN 0316817139
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