# 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! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Western Tiger Salamander](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ambystoma_mavortium_2006.jpg&width=800) Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Daiju Azuma assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ambystoma_mavortium_2006.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Ambystomatidae - **Genus:** Ambystoma ## 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 - **Amazing Healer:** Western Tiger Salamander can regrow lost limbs, tails, and even damaged organs, helping them recover from injuries. - **Underground Architect:** Western Tiger Salamander has strong front limbs that help them dig deep burrows for shelter and escape from predators. - **Eternal Youth:** Western Tiger Salamander can remain a gilled, water-dwelling larva and reproduce, adapting to stay aquatic in certain conditions. - **Sticky Surprise:** 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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/earthworm) (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — A primary food source for foraging salamanders. - **Eaten by:** [Garter Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garter-snake) (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Salamanders are prey for various snake species. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Mammalian predators dig up salamanders from burrows. - **Eaten by:** [Great Blue Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-blue-heron) (*Ardea herodias*) — Larvae and emerging adults are vulnerable to wading birds. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [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. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Threatened](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/threatened): Threatened status denotes a species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future without effective conservation interventions. - [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) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always wash your hands after touching any salamander, as they can be sensitive to chemicals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Western Tiger 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 Western Tiger Salamander? 15-33 cm ### How much does Western Tiger Salamander weigh? 0.03-0.2 kg ### How long does Western Tiger Salamander live? 10-16 years ### How fast can Western Tiger Salamander move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Western Tiger Salamander eat? These hungry amphibians eat almost anything smaller than them, from insects to other amphibians! ### Where is Western Tiger Salamander usually found? Wetlands ### How does Western Tiger Salamander hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chihuahuan-desert-nature-center-and-botanical-gardens) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden - [Telluride Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/telluride-historic-district) — Colorado, US · Historic District - [Dundy County Courthouse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dundy-county-courthouse) — Nebraska, US · Historic Site - [Fort Washakie](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-washakie) — Wyoming, US · Historic Site - [White Lake Grasslands Protected Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/white-lake-grasslands-protected-area) — British Columbia, CA · Nature Reserve - [Cedar Breaks National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedar-breaks-national-monument) — Utah, US · National Park [View all places to see Western Tiger Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/western-tiger-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: [Western Tiger Salamander: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-tiger-salamander)