The Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) is a species of mole salamander native to North America. Known for its striking appearance and secretive habits, here are some detailed characteristics of the spotted salamander:

Key Features of Spotted Salamander

1. Physical Appearance:

• Size: Adults typically range from 6 to 9.5 inches (15 to 24 cm) in length.
• Body Color: They have a smooth, dark body that is usually bluish-black, grayish-black, or dark brown.
• Spots: The salamander gets its name from the bright yellow or orange spots that run in two irregular rows along its back. These spots start behind the eyes and continue to the tail. Each salamander’s spot pattern is unique.
• Underside: The belly is usually gray, with a lighter tone compared to the back.

2. Habitat:

• Spotted salamanders are typically found in deciduous or mixed forests in eastern North America.
• They spend most of their life underground, living in burrows created by other animals, under logs, or in leaf litter. This makes them part of the mole salamander family.
• Breeding habitats: These salamanders rely on temporary pools, called vernal pools, for breeding. Vernal pools form in the spring from snowmelt and rainwater and lack fish, making them ideal for salamander larvae to grow.

3. Life Cycle:

• Breeding: In early spring, during rainy nights, spotted salamanders migrate in large numbers to these vernal pools to breed.
• Eggs: Females lay clusters of gelatinous eggs in the water, which can contain 30 to 250 eggs. Some egg masses may have a green tint due to symbiotic algae (Oophila amblystomatis) that lives within the egg mass and helps in oxygen exchange.
• Larvae: After hatching, the aquatic larvae have gills and remain in the water for several months before metamorphosing into juvenile salamanders and leaving the pool to live on land.

4. Diet:

• Adults: They primarily eat small invertebrates such as earthworms, slugs, spiders, and various insects.
• Larvae: They consume aquatic invertebrates, including insects and small crustaceans, as they develop in vernal pools.

5. Behavior:

• Nocturnal: Spotted salamanders are mostly active at night, especially during damp or rainy weather.
• Hibernation: In colder months, they hibernate underground, often below the frost line, to avoid freezing temperatures.

6. Defense Mechanism:

• When threatened, spotted salamanders can excrete a mildly toxic, sticky substance from glands along their backs and tails. This deters predators like birds, snakes, and small mammals.

7. Conservation Status:

• The spotted salamander is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating a stable population. However, the destruction of vernal pool habitats and forest fragmentation can pose threats to local populations.

8. Interesting Facts:

• Spotted salamanders can live for more than 20 years in the wild.
• They have a mutualistic relationship with algae. The algae not only help oxygenate the eggs but also benefit from the nitrogen and carbon dioxide the salamander embryos produce.

These creatures are often unseen due to their subterranean lifestyle, but during breeding seasons, they become more visible, making them a special find for nature enthusiasts.