Blue-spotted Salamander
Ambystoma laterale
Conservation Status:
Photographed by Cody Limber
Description
Blue-spotted salamanders are two to five inches long, with a dark gray or black coloring. They have blue or white specks that vary widely in amount and size. They are mostly distributed on their legs, tail, and stomach. These salamanders have pale bellies, narrow snouts, and long toes. Males are generally smaller than females, however they have longer tails.
Habitat
This species can be found in moist
deciduous forests or swampy areas, but are most commonly found in hardwood forests. It is suspected that they take light pollution into consideration when choosing their habitat.
Behavior
These salamanders spend a majority of their lives underground. They generally only come to the surface to breed, although sometimes can be found hiding under debris on forest floors. Blue-spotted salamanders eat
invertebrates such as worms and insects. When threatened, they will raise their tail and thrash it around while releasing toxins. They breed in the spring, migrating on rainy nights to vernal pools. Females will lay ten to twenty masses of fifteen eggs, which will be attached to vegetation at the edge of the pools. These salamanders are known to hybridize with the Jefferson salamander. While pure, diploid Blue-spotted salamanders are endangered in Connecticut, the hybrid species is of special concern. These hybrids may have a range of appearances and genes.
Range
Present
Blue-Spotted Salamander
Photographed by Cody Limber
Often Confused with
Jefferson Salamander
Photographed by stevejr
Telling these two species apart is difficult due to the amount of hybridization between them. Hybrids may obtain characteristics from both species, providing identification to be difficult without genetic testing. Blue-spotted salamanders generally have more spots that are larger, which have a light blue color versus the more silver hued ones of the Jefferson salamander. Blue-spotted salamanders also tend to have heads that are more narrow, as well as shorter legs. Jefferson salamanders are lighter in color and larger.
Blue-Spotted Salamander
Photographed by Cody Limber
Often Confused with
Northern Slimy Salamander
Photo needed! Email ajones7428@gmail.com
Blue-spotted salamanders and slimy salamanders both have dark coloration with lighter spots. Slimy salamanders have cylindrical tails and their spots are white, generally covering most, if not all parts of their bodies. Blue-spotted salamanders have blue spots, and these are usually confined to their legs, tail, and stomach.