# Marbled Salamander (*Ambystoma opacum*) The Marbled Salamander is a unique salamander with beautiful marbled patterns. They are shy and enjoy hiding under rocks! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 15 - **Habitat:** Wooded areas and wetlands ![Marbled Salamander](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426273/objects/5666.jpg) ## Appearance The Marbled Salamander has a stout body with striking black or dark gray skin. It is adorned with bold, silvery-white or light gray crossbands and blotches, making it stand out from uniformly colored salamanders. Males may have brighter patterns during breeding season. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Ambystomatidae - **Genus:** Ambystoma ## Interesting facts - Baby Marbled Salamanders are fierce predators from the moment they hatch in the water! - They are one of the only salamanders in their family to breed in the cool fall season! - They spend most of their adult life hidden underground or under logs, away from view! - This salamander is a great mom, guarding her eggs until the pond fills with rain! ## Special abilities - **Flood-Proof Eggs:** Marbled Salamander can lay eggs on dry land because of their special strategy that helps them hatch first when rains arrive. - **Body Regrower:** Marbled Salamander can regrow lost tails and limbs because of their amazing regenerative cells that help them recover from injuries. - **Toxic Skin Defense:** Marbled Salamander has special skin secretions that help them deter predators by tasting bad or mildly irritating. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-13 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.02 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 0.1 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 50-200 - **Metamorphosis:** 90-270 days ## Diet & Feeding These salamanders are insectivores, munching on small invertebrates they find on land or in water. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat aquatic invertebrates; adults eat terrestrial and aquatic prey. - **Primary Foods:** Earthworms, Slugs, Insects, Spiders, Small Crustaceans, Larvae of other amphibians - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Spotted Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-salamander) (*Ambystoma maculatum*) — Marbled larvae often eat smaller larvae of this species. - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — A common predator of adult and juvenile salamanders. - **Hunts:** [Eastern Newt](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-newt) (*Notophthalmus viridescens*) — Marbled larvae often prey on the larvae of this newt. - **Shelter:** [Red Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-maple) (*Acer rubrum*) — Lives in forests with this tree, finding shelter under leaf litter. ## Traits - [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. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [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. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [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. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [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) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Marbled 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 Marbled Salamander? 10-13 cm ### How much does Marbled Salamander weigh? 0.005-0.02 kg ### How long does Marbled Salamander live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Marbled Salamander move? 0.1 km/h ### What does Marbled Salamander eat? These salamanders are insectivores, munching on small invertebrates they find on land or in water. ### Where is Marbled Salamander usually found? Wooded areas and wetlands ### How does Marbled Salamander hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Cedarville State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedarville-state-forest) — Maryland, US · Forest - [Grist Mill Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grist-mill-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Popes Head Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/popes-head-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Rosemark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rosemark) — Tennessee, US · Neighborhood - [Cape May County Park & Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cape-may-county-park-and-zoo) — New Jersey, US · Zoo - [Blackstone Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blackstone-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District [View all places to see Marbled Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/marbled-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: [Marbled Salamander: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/marbled-salamander)