Mole Salamanders
ExploreAmphibians
Mole Salamanders
Ambystoma
Mole salamanders are special little creatures that live underground! They have smooth skin and can be different colors, like black, blue, or yellow. They love to dig and find cool places to hide.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Mole Salamanders are robust amphibians with stout bodies, large heads, and smooth, moist skin. Many species are dark, often black or brown, adorned with distinct bright spots, bars, or blotches, making them visually different from slender newts or dry-skinned lizards.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderCaudataFamilyAmbystomatidaeGenusAmbystoma
Category
AmphibiansRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Certain mole salamanders can even stay in their aquatic larval stage, never fully leaving the water!
Some mole salamander species can absorb water and oxygen directly through their moist skin!
They often spend almost their entire lives hidden underground, only emerging for breeding!
When startled, some species will arch their backs and stand tall on their legs to look bigger!
Special abilities
Ability
Super Regeneration
Mole Salamanders can regrow lost limbs, tails, and even parts of their brain because of specialized stem cells that help them recover from injuries.
Ability
Master Burrower
Mole Salamanders can dig extensive tunnels underground using their strong forelimbs to hide from predators, find food, and escape harsh weather.
Ability
Toxic Skin Defense
Mole Salamanders has glands in its skin that produce mild toxic substances that help deter hungry predators from eating them.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 10-30 cm
- Weight
- 0.005-0.1 kg
- Lifespan
- 10-20 years
- Top Speed
- 0.2 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 50-200
- Metamorphosis
- 60-120 days
Diet & Feeding
These salamanders are hunters, feasting on small invertebrates they find on land and water.
Age differences: Larvae primarily consume aquatic invertebrates, while adults switch to a terrestrial diet.
Primary Foods
- earthworms
- slugs
- snails
- insect larvae
- small crustaceans
- spiders
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
eats
common earthworm
Lumbricus terrestris
A primary food source in their underground tunnels.
eaten by
raccoon
Procyon lotor
Raccoons often dig up salamanders for a meal.
eaten by
common garter snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Garter snakes are common predators in their habitat.
Traits
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Regenerative
Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
If you see a salamander, watch it from a distance and don't touch it, as they can be sensitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Mole Salamanders?
10-30 cm
How much does Mole Salamanders weigh?
0.005-0.1 kg
How long does Mole Salamanders live?
10-20 years
How fast can Mole Salamanders move?
0.2 km/h
What does Mole Salamanders eat?
These salamanders are hunters, feasting on small invertebrates they find on land and water.
Where is Mole Salamanders usually found?
Forests
How does Mole Salamanders hunt?
Ambush
How many eggs does Mole Salamanders lay?
50-200
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