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Marbled Salamander

Ambystoma opacum

Image by Jim Horton

Description

A stocky black salamander witih grey to white crossbands. Dark gray to black background with wide, grey or white bands across back from head to tail. Limbs are dark and mottled or lightly speckled. 11 - 12 costal grooves on sides. Belly is dark slate or black. Tail is round and ends at a pointed tip.

Stats

Size

3 ½ – 4 inches

Status

Common

Similar Species

None

Diet

Earthworms, slugs, snails, and other invertebrates

Habitat

Hardwood forested uplands and floodplains with temporary or permanent wetlands or ponds

Reproduction

Mating occurs in autumn (unlike most of our other salamanders) Heavy fall rains trigger breeding activity. Mating takes place on land near woodland ponds or ditches. Females lay 75-200 round, silvery eggs (not in a jelly like mass). Females dig a depression close to a water source under fallen logs or rocks and stays curled with eggs. Females await heavy rainfall that washes eggs into the water and young soon develop.

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