Spotted salamanders are a captivating sight in North American woodlands, known for their vibrant yellow spots and elusive nature. These amphibians lead secretive lives, spending much of their time underground and emerging only during certain seasons, making each encounter a special event. In this article, we’ll uncover 13 fun facts about spotted salamanders, exploring their unique behaviors and adaptations.
13 Facts about spotted salamanders
1. These amphibians are considered mole salamanders
Mole salamanders are a type of salamander that spends the majority of their time underground and only emerges at night to hunt. The name of these amphibians refers to their natural tendency to quickly burrow into the ground and hide from predators.
The spotted salamander is one of several species of mole salamanders. Spotted salamanders spend most of their lives underground, except for during the breeding season.
2. They use their sticky tongue to catch prey
Since spotted salamanders are carnivores, meat makes up most of their diet. Insects and small invertebrates such as earthworms, slugs, snails, spiders, millipedes, and centipedes are among their prey.
Spotted salamanders catch their prey using a quick, ambush technique. They primarily hunt at night, waiting motionless until unsuspecting prey, like insects, spiders, or worms, comes within range. Once close enough, the salamander flicks out its sticky, retractable tongue to snatch the prey and pull it into its mouth. Spotted salamanders have a strong sense of smell and excellent low-light vision, helping them locate food in their dark, forest-floor habitats. Their stealthy approach and quick strike make them effective hunters despite their slow-moving appearance.
3. The spotted salamander is the official state amphibian of Ohio and South Carolina
You may not realize it, but most states have an ‘official’ state amphibian. The cute and charismatic spotted salamander has become the official state amphibian of Ohio and South Carolina.
4. Most of their time is spent in burrows underground
Adult spotted salamanders are nocturnal and shy creatures. They spend the majority of their time underground, but come out to mate between winter and early spring.
These animals prefer to live in forests near bodies of water, such as lakes and ponds, where they can easily migrate to breed and lay eggs. Their burrows are typically 1.3 m below ground, but they can also be found hiding under leaf litter and fallen wood.
5. Male adult salamanders engage in dance-like behaviors during breeding
Spotted salamanders are a salamander species that, like many amphibians, exhibit courtship behavior. This behavior is critical to their reproductive success and is triggered by both male and female pheromone release.
They have a courtship breeding pattern in which the males appear to dance to attract potential mates. Male salamanders are also known to push other males away and drop their spermatophores on top of them to overpower one another.
When they have attracted a female, they’ll begin to lay down their sperm packet for the female to pick up and use to fertilize her eggs.
6. Spotted Salamanders migrate at night
This species is also regarded as an early spring indicator. During the first warm rainfall after winter, spotted salamanders will migrate in large numbers to ponds and vernal pools to breed. This marks the beginning of the spring season.
Males move faster than females and will be the first to reach the water. Migration occurs at night, between 8 and 11 pm. This prevents the salamander’s skin from being damaged by the sun’s heat.
7. They hibernate in burrows or crevices underground during winter
The spotted salamander is one of many animal species that hibernate during the cold months of the year to conserve energy and survive periods when food is scarce. These species emerge from their dens to forage for food and look for mates when the weather is favorable for them.
Salamanders are ectothermic, relying on outside heat to regulate their body temperature. They slow down their metabolism and activity levels in cold temperatures until spring arrives and temperatures rise.
8. They produce a nasty-tasting toxin
Spotted salamanders use a variety of defense mechanisms to protect themselves from predators. When a threat approaches, one of the first things they do is hide in their burrows and leaf litter to avoid predators.
They also can produce a milky secretion from glands along their back and tail when threatened. This secretion contains toxins that deter predators by causing irritation and an unpleasant taste. While the toxin is not dangerous to humans, it can cause mild skin or eye irritation, so it’s best to wash hands after handling a spotted salamander. This defense mechanism helps protect them from predators like raccoons, snakes, and birds.
9. Spotted salamander eggs sometimes contain green algae
The egg of a Spotted Salamander forms a symbiotic relationship with a species of green algae called Oophila amblystomatis. This alga grows inside the egg and aids in the embryo’s survival by feeding on the carbon dioxide produced and, in turn, releasing oxygen, which supports the larva’s growth inside the egg.
Salamander eggs are laid underwater with a thick layer of white jelly covering them to protect them from predators during this stage. They can also disguise themselves as underwater algae thanks to the presence of these green algae, which lowers the possibility that other carnivorous animals will eat them.
10. Adult spotted salamanders live about 20 years, but some have been recorded to live as long as 30 years
Spotted Salamanders have a relatively long life span for salamanders, with an average lifespan of 10-20 years in the wild, and reaching up to 30 years in captivity. This species’ eggs take four to seven weeks to hatch after the female lays them. After 2-4 months, they’ll begin to transform into juveniles capable of living on land.
Only 10% of them survive as juveniles before leaving the pond due to a variety of factors such as predation, water drying up, and diseases. Once these salamanders are on land, they already have a high chance of surviving. They‘ll reach sexual maturity and be considered adults after 2-3 years.
11. They are native to North America and the U.S.
Spotted salamanders are native to the United States. Their range covers much of the eastern United States and parts of southeastern Canada. In the United States, they are commonly found from southern Maine and eastern Minnesota down to northern Florida and eastern Texas.
12. Spotted salamanders can have different colors
Spotted Salamanders are an example of a species that can exhibit different color variations. Their primary body color is black, but they can also be blueish-black, dark gray, dark green, or dark brown. Their spots are typically yellow, but can also be shades of orange, especially on the head.
13. They hatch as aquatic and grow to be terrestrial
The Spotted Salamander is an amphibian that spends the first months of its life in water. They hatch as aquatic larvae with a greenish body, weak legs, and a tail for swimming. These animals also have feathery gills, allowing them to breathe underwater.
When they become juveniles, their lungs and strong legs develop, enabling them to walk and live on land. Then, they’ll spend their entire lives as terrestrial creatures, only migrating to the water to reproduce.
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