Streamside Salamander

Ambystoma barbouri

The Streamside Salamander is a small, cute creature that loves to live near streams and ponds. It has a smooth, shiny skin and can be gray or brown with bright yellow spots!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Streamside Salamander is dark brown to black with scattered light gray or silvery flecks on its sides and tail. Its belly is typically yellowish-white. It has a moderately slender body and a relatively long, flattened tail.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderCaudataFamilyAmbystomatidaeGenusAmbystoma

Streamside Salamander

Interesting facts

Females often lay their eggs one by one on the underside of rocks.

Streamside Salamanders spend most of their lives hidden underground!

Their larvae have amazing feathery gills for breathing in water.

They are nocturnal, meaning they hunt for snacks in the dark!

Special abilities

Streamside Salamander can regrow lost limbs or tails because of special cells, helping them recover from injuries.

Streamside Salamander can breathe through its moist skin because of tiny blood vessels, helping it absorb oxygen underwater.

Streamside Salamander has glands that produce sticky skin secretions that help deter predators.

Measurements & details

Length: 10-15 cm
Weight: 0.005-0.015 kg
Lifespan: 3-7 years
Top Speed: 0.2 km/h
Clutch Size: 100-300
Metamorphosis: 60-90 days

Diet & Feeding

Tiny hunters, they feast on small insects and other invertebrates found near streams.

Age differences: Larvae eat aquatic invertebrates; adults primarily hunt terrestrial insects and worms.

Primary Foods

Earthworms
Slugs
Crickets
Beetle larvae
Spiders

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

eaten by

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Adult salamanders are prey for these common snakes.

eaten by

American Bullfrog

Lithobates catesbeianus

Bullfrogs are opportunistic predators of small amphibians.

eaten by

Raccoon

Procyon lotor

Raccoons often forage along streams, preying on salamanders.

Traits

Spotted

Marked with spots or patches of a different color.

Solitary

Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.

Camouflaged

Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.

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.

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.