Marbled Salamander Maryland

Marbled salamander ambystoma opacum.

Marbled salamander maryland.

The marbled salamander is part of a family known as mole salamanders. And the red salamander 4 6 inches. Maryland amphibian and reptile atlas. Maryland s salamanders and newts order caudata salamanders and newts are nocturnal and secretive animals with long slender bodies long tails and in most cases two pairs of legs.

Eggs are laid in the fall under coarse woody debris while the pools are dry. The red back salamander 2 to 3 inches. Newts look similar to salamanders but may have rough skin and are either aquatic or semi aquatic. Deciduous and mixed forests adjacent to vernal pools.

Young salamanders have dark colored specks on the dark background. There are several species of salamanders found in maryland. Unlike most of the family the marbled salamander breeds in the fall and on land. Marbled salamander ambystoma opacum.

Marbled salamander ambystoma opacum is a relatively small black mole salamander with silvery or whitish banded markings unlike other maryland representatives of the genus ambystoma this species breeds in late autumn at vernal pools including ones that are seasonally dry until spring rains the female guards her eggs until water levels rise and the eggs hatch. Marbled salamanders spend most of their lives in self excavated burrows or those dug by small mammals and are most commonly found in deciduous or mixed pine forests on sandy soil. If no rain comes once the eggs are laid they may be able to overwinter and hatch in the spring. They can be camouflaged or brightly colored or patterned and tend to be terrestrial.

580 taylor ave annapolis md 21401. The bands of females tend to be gray while those of males are more white. The marbled salamander grows to 10 cm in length. The most common species that might be found in suburban areas are the spotted salamander 5 to 7 inches see photo the slimy salamander 2 to 3 inches.

The dorsal coloration is a black background with gray female or white male markings and its belly is black. The marbled salamander is a stocky boldly banded salamander. Adults can grow to about 11 cm 4 in small compared to other members of its genus. Salamanders generally have short bodies four short legs long tails and smooth moist skin.

Marbled salamanders can metamorphose more quickly in warmer climates taking as little as two months. Explore wall mural aliceanna st baltimore maryland october. Their life cycles can be totally aquatic totally terrestrial and in between spending time both on land and in water. Habitat photo for marbled salamander courtesy of rebecca chalmers.

Maryland s salamanders and newts order caudata marbled salamander ambystoma opacum.