# Spotted Salamander (*Ambystoma maculatum*) The Spotted Salamander is a charming little creature with bright yellow spots. They love to live in damp places and are great at finding food! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 76 - **Habitat:** Forests and wetlands ![Spotted Salamander](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426179/objects/5665.jpg) ## Appearance The Spotted Salamander is robust and smooth-skinned, typically black or dark grey with bright yellow or orange spots scattered across its back. These vibrant spots make it distinct from most other salamander species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Ambystomatidae - **Genus:** Ambystoma ## Interesting facts - Baby spotted salamanders have feathery gills before they grow lungs! - These salamanders spend almost their entire adult lives hidden underground. - They migrate on rainy spring nights to breed in special ponds! - They sometimes share their burrows with small mammals like mice. ## Special abilities - **Regrowth Power:** Spotted Salamander can regrow lost limbs, tails, and even jaw parts if they are injured. - **Algae Helper:** Spotted Salamander eggs have a unique symbiotic algae that helps provide them with oxygen. - **Burrow Master:** Spotted Salamander can dig deep underground using their strong snouts, hiding safely for months. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-25 cm - **Weight:** 0.01-0.03 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-20 years - **Speed:** 0.1 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 50-250 - **Metamorphosis:** 60-120 days ## Diet & Feeding Young salamanders eat tiny water creatures, while adults munch on bugs, worms, and slugs. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat zooplankton and microinvertebrates; adults eat larger terrestrial invertebrates. - **Primary Foods:** Earthworms, Slugs, Spiders, Crickets, Insect larvae - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Snakes are major predators of adult salamanders. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons dig for salamanders hiding under leaf litter. - **Symbiotic with:** Salamander Algae (*Oophila amblystomatis*) — Algae live in eggs, providing oxygen to developing embryos. - **Hunts:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — Adult salamanders find and eat earthworms in soil. - **Hunts:** [Leopard Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard-slug) (*Limax maximus*) — Slugs are a common and important food source. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [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. - [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. - [Glowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/glowing): Pertaining to organisms that emit light through bioluminescence or fluorescence. - [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 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 Spotted Salamander? 15-25 cm ### How much does Spotted Salamander weigh? 0.01-0.03 kg ### How long does Spotted Salamander live? 10-20 years ### How fast can Spotted Salamander move? 0.1 km/h ### What does Spotted Salamander eat? Young salamanders eat tiny water creatures, while adults munch on bugs, worms, and slugs. ### Where is Spotted Salamander usually found? Forests and wetlands ### How does Spotted Salamander hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Algonquin Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/algonquin-provincial-park) — Ontario, CA · State Park - [Bristol Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bristol-downtown-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District - [Carriage Paths, Bridges and Gatehouses](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/carriage-paths-bridges-and-gatehouses) — Maine, US · Historic District - [Copicut Woods](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/copicut-woods) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Delaware and Raritan Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/delaware-and-raritan-canal) — New Jersey, US · Historic Site - [Harraseeket Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/harraseeket-historic-district) — Maine, US · Historic District [View all places to see Spotted Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/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: [Spotted Salamander: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-salamander)