# 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! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Streamside Salamander](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ambystoma_barbouri_1.jpeg&width=800) Photo: Michael Anderson, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ambystoma_barbouri_1.jpeg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Ambystomatidae - **Genus:** Ambystoma ## 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 - **Regeneration Power:** Streamside Salamander can regrow lost limbs or tails because of special cells, helping them recover from injuries. - **Skin Breather:** Streamside Salamander can breathe through its moist skin because of tiny blood vessels, helping it absorb oxygen underwater. - **Sticky Shield:** 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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Bullfrogs are opportunistic predators of small amphibians. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons often forage along streams, preying on salamanders. ## 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. - [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. - [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. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always wash your hands after touching salamanders, as they can be sensitive to chemicals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Streamside 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 Streamside Salamander? 10-15 cm ### How much does Streamside Salamander weigh? 0.005-0.015 kg ### How long does Streamside Salamander live? 3-7 years ### How fast can Streamside Salamander move? 0.2 km/h ### What does Streamside Salamander eat? Tiny hunters, they feast on small insects and other invertebrates found near streams. ### Where is Streamside Salamander usually found? Wetlands ### How does Streamside Salamander hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Madison Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/madison-historic-district) — Indiana, US · Historic District ## 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: [Streamside Salamander: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/streamside-salamander)