ORDER

Caudata (salamanders)

FAMILY

Ambystomatidae (mole salamanders)

HABITAT AND RANGE

Tiger salamanders have the greatest range of any salamander in North America. They can be found from southern Alaska east to Labrador throughout the United States and to the southern edge of the Mexican Plateau. Fully metamorphosed salamanders do not need standing water to live in but need soil that is moist enough so that they can burrow underneath to access a certain high level of humidity. Because of mating, however, they do need some access to bodies of water. They can be found primarily in dense woodlands.

IDENTIFICATION

Tiger salamanders are the largest terrestrial salamanders in North America. They generally have yellow blotches against a black background and are relatively thick bodied. They can grow up to lengths of 17-33 cm.

DIET

Salamanders are carnivorous in both the adult and larval stage. They eat any animal they come across that is small enough to swallow which includes insects, worms, small fish, tadpoles, frogs, toads, other salamanders and even small mammals.

REPRODUCTION AND LIFESPAN

Amphibians are classified by their two stage life cycles. The first lifecycle is a larval and aquatic stage. The larvae have gills and must live in the water. As the larvae undergo metamorphosis the gills and tails are absorbed into the body and legs begin to develop. Once they reach adulthood, 'breathing' is achieved through oxygen diffusion through their thin, moist skin. Tiger salamanders complete metamorphosis after 2.5-5 months of development. Breeding occurs during early spring. Females lay egg masses of up to 100 eggs, which are fertilized externally by the male. The egg masses are usually laid in temporary pools and are anchored to underwater rocks or plant structures. A female may mate multiple times during the season and can lay up to 1,000 eggs in a single season. Lifespan in the wild is 10-16 years but can reach 25 years in captivity.

NOTES

Tiger salamanders spend most of their lives in burrows that they dig themselves. Their burrows can be up to 60cm below the surface, which may explain their ability to inhabit such a wide variety of habitats and climates.