# Blue-spotted Salamander (*Ambystoma laterale*) The Blue-spotted Salamander is a small, colorful creature with bright blue spots on its dark skin. It loves to live in damp places and is often found under logs or rocks in the forest. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Blue-spotted Salamander](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ambystoma_laterale.jpg&width=800) Photo: National Park Service, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ambystoma_laterale.jpg) ## Appearance The Blue-spotted Salamander has a slender, dark bluish-black body covered in bright, irregular sky-blue spots or flecks, particularly along its sides. These distinctive markings set it apart from other dark salamanders, making it easily identifiable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Ambystomatidae - **Genus:** Ambystoma ## Interesting facts - Some blue-spotted salamanders have extra sets of DNA from other salamander species! - These amazing salamanders return to the same pond every year to lay their eggs. - They spend most of their lives hidden underground, only emerging to breed or hunt. - They use their amazing sense of smell to find hidden food and even detect danger. ## Special abilities - **Skin Breathing:** Blue-spotted Salamander can breathe through its moist skin and mouth lining, which helps it absorb oxygen underwater and on land. - **Toxic Skin:** Blue-spotted Salamander has glands in its skin that release a mild, sticky toxin, which helps deter predators when grabbed. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-14 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.01 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 0.1 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 100-500 - **Metamorphosis:** 60-120 days ## Diet & Feeding These small hunters eat tiny insects, worms, and other small creatures found in damp places. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat tiny aquatic invertebrates in water, while adults primarily hunt terrestrial prey on land. - **Primary Foods:** Earthworms, Slugs, Spiders, Beetle larvae, Crickets, Millipedes - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Preys on adult salamanders. - **Eats:** [Earthworm](https://www.snappit.app/explore/earthworm) (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — A primary food source for adults. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Hunts salamanders near ponds. - **Eats:** [Black Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-slug) (*Arion ater*) — Consumes these slow-moving invertebrates. - **Depends on:** [Red Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-maple) (*Acer rubrum*) — Requires leaf litter from trees for shelter. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch where you step in the forest, and don't touch wild animals without asking an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Blue-spotted Salamander? Compare body shape, toes, markings, tail and skin texture. Tadpoles and larvae can look nothing like the adults they turn into. Amphibian Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Blue-spotted Salamander? 10-14 cm ### How much does Blue-spotted Salamander weigh? 0.005-0.01 kg ### How long does Blue-spotted Salamander live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Blue-spotted Salamander move? 0.1 km/h ### What does Blue-spotted Salamander eat? These small hunters eat tiny insects, worms, and other small creatures found in damp places. ### Where is Blue-spotted Salamander usually found? Forests ### How does Blue-spotted Salamander hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Milwaukee County Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/milwaukee-county-zoo) — Wisconsin, US · Zoo - [Bethlehem Green Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bethlehem-green-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [China Village](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/china-village) — Maine, US · Neighborhood - [Hoosier Prairie State Nature Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hoosier-prairie-state-nature-preserve) — Indiana, US · Nature Reserve - [Kettle Falls Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kettle-falls-historic-district) — Minnesota, US · Historic District - [Namur Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/namur-historic-district) — Wisconsin, US · Historic District [View all places to see Blue-spotted Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/blue-spotted-salamander) ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Blue-spotted Salamander: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-spotted-salamander)