Western Tiger Salamander

Ambystoma mavortium

The Western Tiger Salamander is a cool, spotted amphibian that loves to live in wet areas. It has a smooth, shiny skin and can be black or dark brown with bright yellow or white spots!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Western Tiger Salamander is a large, stout-bodied amphibian with a broad head. It has a dark background color, typically black or dark brown, covered with striking irregular yellow or olive-green blotches and bars. This vibrant pattern makes it easily recognizable.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderCaudataFamilyAmbystomatidaeGenusAmbystoma

Western Tiger Salamander

Interesting facts

Their larvae are fierce underwater predators, often eating other tadpoles and smaller salamanders!

They are one of the largest land-dwelling salamanders found across North America!

They can secrete a milky toxin from their skin as a defense against hungry predators!

Tiger salamanders sometimes eat each other, especially when food is scarce in their ponds!

Special abilities

Western Tiger Salamander can regrow lost limbs, tails, and even damaged organs, helping them recover from injuries.

Western Tiger Salamander has strong front limbs that help them dig deep burrows for shelter and escape from predators.

Western Tiger Salamander can remain a gilled, water-dwelling larva and reproduce, adapting to stay aquatic in certain conditions.

Western Tiger Salamander uses a quick, sticky tongue to snatch insects and other small prey with surprising speed.

Measurements & details

Length: 15-33 cm
Weight: 0.03-0.2 kg
Lifespan: 10-16 years
Top Speed: 0.5 km/h
Clutch Size: 100-1000
Metamorphosis: 60-120 days

Diet & Feeding

These hungry amphibians eat almost anything smaller than them, from insects to other amphibians!

Age differences: Larvae are aquatic and eat aquatic invertebrates, while adults are terrestrial and eat a wider range of land-based prey.

Primary Foods

earthworms
insects
slugs
small fish
tadpoles
small rodents

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

Earthworm

Lumbricus terrestris

A primary food source for foraging salamanders.

eaten by

Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Salamanders are prey for various snake species.

eaten by

Raccoon

Procyon lotor

Mammalian predators dig up salamanders from burrows.

eaten by

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

Larvae and emerging adults are vulnerable to wading birds.

Traits

Spotted

Marked with spots or patches of a different color.

Burrowing

Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.

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.