Salamanders in Colorado: Meet the State’s Only Species

Colorado is brimming with wildlife, from majestic moose to tiny frogs, highlighting its remarkable biodiversity. Among thousands of invertebrates, over 750 vertebrates, and 70 reptiles and amphibians, only one salamander species calls this state home. In this article, we’ll learn all about salamanders in Colorado and meet the state’s lone representative.

Salamanders in Colorado

Colorado has only one species of salamander: the western tiger salamander (Ambystoma mavortium), which was designated the state’s official amphibian in 2012. This species is widespread and adaptable, found in all 64 counties of the state.

The western tiger salamander has three distinct subspecies, each inhabiting different parts of Colorado and varying in their coloration and patterns:

• Barred Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum mavortium): Found in eastern Colorado, it has a black body with bold yellow bars or blotches.
• Blotched Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum melanostictum): Found in north-central and northwestern Colorado, its body is dark olive, gray, or cream with irregular black spots or blotches.
• Gilled Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum nebulosum): Found in central and western Colorado, it typically has a dark brown or gray body with dark spots in shades of brown or black. Some individuals display olive or gold tones with black spots.

Western Tiger Salamander Overview

Tiger salamanders are actually a species of mole salamander and are one of the largest terrestrial salamanders found in North America. They measure about 12 ½ inches in total length, with a body color that ranges from goldish yellow or olive green to black.

This amphibian often has black blotches or spots on a lighter-colored body or light yellow spots on a black body. The exact markings and colors, however, vary from one subspecies to the next.

Western Tiger Salamander Habitat

The western tiger salamander spends most of its time underground in burrows but can occasionally be found above ground. Since they rely on burrows, they need areas with loose soil that are easy to dig into.

These salamanders also need to keep their skin moist, so they typically remain underground, emerging primarily at night or during the spring and fall months.

The western tiger salamander thrives in moist environments near prairies or wetlands. Although not extremely common, they have been found in root cellars and basements.

As adults, western tiger salamanders usually do not return to water except during breeding season. They prefer to breed in areas without large predatory fish, such as wetlands or ponds, where their eggs and larvae are safe from being eaten.

The western tiger salamander is the only amphibian documented in all of Colorado’s counties and has been observed at elevations as high as 12,000 feet.

Food Source for Western Tiger Salamander

Like other salamander species, the western tiger salamander feeds on a variety of insects, including adults, nymphs, and larvae, as well as frogs and other small invertebrates. Common examples of their prey include earthworms, crickets, slugs, snails, and worms.

Life Cycle of the Western Tiger Salamander

During late winter or early spring, western tiger salamanders migrate to breeding ponds. After a brief courtship, which typically lasts one or two days, the female lays up to 100 eggs. On average, it takes about four weeks for the eggs to hatch.

The larvae remain in the breeding pond until they develop into adults, which can take anywhere from two to five months. Once mature, these large salamanders can live for up to 15 years.

Western Tiger Salamander Diseases

Western tiger salamanders are susceptible to two significant diseases:

• Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd): Affects most amphibians, including frogs and salamanders, and can disrupt skin function.
• Ranaviruses: Infect fish, reptiles, and amphibians, causing tissue damage and mortality in severe cases.

Fortunately, these diseases are not transmittable to humans.

Tiger Salamander Toxicity

The tiger salamander is poisonous, a common trait among many amphibians. It secretes a toxic substance from glands in its tail that has a bitter taste, deterring predators.

While humans are unlikely to ingest a tiger salamander, dogs sometimes chew or lick these amphibians. This can cause poisoning, which may range from irritation to more severe effects. The toxin is usually only irritating to humans and larger animals but can be fatal to smaller creatures, such as amphibians or mice.

Although poisonous, tiger salamanders are not venomous. Even if one bites you, it lacks venom, unlike snakes or spiders, and is unlikely to cause harm.