Mole Salamanders | Herps of Texas

Ambystoma maculatum

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Ambystoma maculatum

Common Name. Spotted Salamander

General information. Ambystoma maculatum is rarely seen above ground. Many individuals can be seen congregating at one pond during breeding time.

Protected status. The Spotted Salamander is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Large and stout salamander with a long, broad head. Tail slightly shorter than body length. Four toes on forelimbs, and five on hind limbs Twelve costal grooves

Coloration. Black or slate-colored ground color with orange or yellow spots in irregular rows down each side of body from head to tip of tail Gray ventral surface.

General distribution. In North America, Ambystoma maculatum has a broad range from Nova Scotia to south-central Ontario, south to Georgia and Texas.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Ambystoma maculatum is found in the northern and central parts of east Texas.

Habitat. Ambystoma maculatum prefers moist environments and may be seen under boards or fallen logs, near permanent and temporary ponds.

Reproduction. Breeding in Ambystoma maculatum occurs in early spring with warm rains. Internal fertilization occurs and one or more egg mass is laid and attached to submerged vegetation.

Size. As an adult, Ambystoma maculatum can reach a total length of 15-25 cm (6-10 in).

Map. Orange counties indicate new county records since previous Herps of Texas update in 1998; all other colored counties reflect known distribution prior to 1998 for species and/or subspecies. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.

Ambystoma mavortium

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Ambystoma mavortium

Common Name. Western Tiger Salamander

General information. Ambystoma mavortium is primarily nocturnal, feeding on terrestrial and aquatic invertebrate (and small vertebrate) prey as adults. Usually in loose or sandy soil that permits burrowing.

Protected status. The Western Tiger Salamander is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Large salamander with broad flat head and small eyes. Four toes on front feet, and five on hind feet; hind feet have digging tubercles. Tail is long and flattened at tip Eleven to fourteen costal grooves.

Coloration. Black bars and spots larger and fewer than Ambystoma tigrinum

General distribution. In North America, Ambystoma mavortium is across many of the western US states, though isolated populations occur in states along the Pacific Coast. Also found in southern Canada.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Ambystoma mavortium is found across the Panhandle and portions of southern and western portions of the state.

Habitat. Ambystoma mavortium is usually found adjacent to quiet bodies of water, some of which may be ephemeral ponds or playas.

Reproduction. Breeding takes place from January to May in either permanent or ephemeral bodies of water, rarely streams.

Size. As an adult, Ambystoma mavortium can reach between 18-35 cm (7-14 in) in total length.

Ambystoma opacum

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Ambystoma opacum

Common Name. Marbled Salamander

General information. Ambystoma opacum is rarely seen in water, but remains near it in moist areas.

Protected status. The Marbled Salamander is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Large and stout salamander with a short, broad head Tail shorter than body length. Four toes on forelimbs, and five on hind limbs. Eleven or twelve costal grooves.

Coloration. Dark gray or black dorsal and ventral surfaces. Silver or white “crossbars” mark the dorsum, sometimes fusing with spots.

General distribution. In North America, Ambystoma opacum is found from New England to Florida and Illinois to Texas.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Ambystoma opacum is found in east Texas from the Red River to the Gulf of Mexico.

Habitat. Ambystoma opacum prefers drier environments than many salamander species, but it remains near water and is commonly seen in wooded areas.

Reproduction. Breeding in Ambystoma opacum occurs throughout the fall. Females lay 50-200 eggs on land and guard them until rainwater comes, triggering hatching.

Size. Ambystoma opacum grows to a total length of 7.5-12.5 cm (3-5 in) as an adult.

Ambystoma talpoideum

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Ambystoma talpoideum

Common Name. Mole Salamander

General information. Ambystoma talpoideum burrows in loose soil and remains underground except during breeding season.

Protected status. The Mole Salamander is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Large head and relatively short tail Four toes on forelimbs, and five on hind limbs Ten or eleven costal grooves

Coloration. Dorsal color is black, brown, or gray with scattered bluish-white flecks. Gray ventral surface.

General distribution. In North America, Ambystoma talpoideum is found from South Carolina to Florida, west to Texas and Oklahoma.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Ambystoma talpoideum is found in two populations in east Texas: one along the Red River and the other along the Texas/Louisiana border.

Habitat. Ambystoma talpoideum can be seen in lowland, moist, wooded areas with soil suitable for burrowing, in mammal burrows, or under logs.

Reproduction. Breeding in Ambystoma talpoideum occurs from December to February after cold rains. Females lay up to 400 eggs in small masses in shallow pools.

Size. Ambystoma talpoideum reach an adult total length between 8-12 cm (3.2-5 in).

Ambystoma texanum

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Ambystoma texanum

Common Name. Small-mouthed Salamander

General information. Nocturnal, Ambystoma texanum remains underground or under cover during the day. Several may congregate near ponds during breeding times. If threatened, Ambystoma texanum may wave its tail from side to side.

Protected status. The Small-mouthed Salamander is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Small head and mouth with a large body and long tail Four toes on front feet, and five on hind feet. Fourteen or fifteen costal grooves.

Coloration. Dorsal color black or very dark brown with light-colored flecks on dorsum and sides.

General distribution. In the United States, Ambystoma texanum is found in the U.S. from the Great Lakes south and east to Texas.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Ambystoma texanum is found throughout the wetter portions of the east and east-central sections of the state.

Habitat. Preferring moist environments, Ambystoma texanum may be seen in riverbottoms, under debris near ponds and swamps, or on cultivated farmland near water.

Reproduction. Breeding occurs in Ambystoma texanum from January to April. Females lay up to 700 eggs and attach them singly or in small masses to submerged vegetation and rocks.

Size. Adult Ambystoma texanum reach 11-19 cm (4.5-7.6 in) in total length.

Ambystoma tigrinum

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Ambystoma tigrinum

Common Name. Eastern Tiger Salamander

General information. Nocturnal, Ambystoma tigrinum remains underground or under cover near water during the day. Ambystoma tigrinum feeds on earthworms, insects, and small vertebrates. Several may congregate near ponds during breeding times.

Protected status. The Eastern Tiger Salamander is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Coloration. With a greater number of thinner and lighter yellow bars and spots on a black background than Ambystoma mavortium, almost with a reticulate pattern.

General distribution. In North America, the range of Ambystoma tigrinum is broken and scattered across the U. S., from the East Coast to Minnesota down to the Gulf Coast, through the Plains States to Nebraska and Texas.

Texas distribution. Ambystoma tigrinum is found in the northeast corner of Texas.

Habitat. Ambystoma tigrinum can be found in moist environments or near water, wooded areas with loose soil, in cultivated lands near water, and in mammal or crawfish burrows.

Reproduction. Breeding in Ambystoma tigrinum typically occurs after late winter rains, but may occur anytime with sufficient rain. Eggs are attached to submerged vegetation and rocks singly or in masses.

Size. As an adult, Ambystoma tigrinum can reach between 18–33 cm (7–13 in) in total length.