Spotted Salamander

Overview

Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) is a mole salamander native to Eastern North America. A black salamander with yellow spots, a classic woodland amphibian.

Care level: Intermediate. Toxicity: Low.

History & Origin

The Ambystomatidae (Mole Salamanders) is naturally distributed across Eastern North America, where it occupies the typical habitats of its family. It has been kept by specialist and hobbyist keepers both in the wild and in captivity.

Appearance & Size

Spotted Salamander is a 15–25 cm mole salamander.

Temperament

Mole salamanders are stocky, terrestrial as adults and often bold; the axolotl is a permanently aquatic, larval form that never metamorphoses and is famously hardy.

Care & Husbandry

A mole salamander needs a cool, moist terrestrial setup with soil or moss to burrow into and a hide; axolotls instead require a cool, well-filtered aquarium (14–20 °C) with no sharp décor. Feed earthworms, invertebrates and, for axolotls, sinking carnivore pellets. Avoid warm water, which stresses them.

This species is generally rated Intermediate in difficulty for keepers.

Health & Lifespan

In captivity Spotted Salamander typically lives 10–20 years. Mole salamanders commonly live 10–25 years (axolotls 10–15). Regeneration is remarkable but they are sensitive to warm, dirty water and injury; keep axolotls cool and handle minimally.

Popularity & Recognition

The axolotl is a worldwide sensation for its permanent larval smile and regenerative powers; the tiger salamander is one of North America's largest and most popular salamanders.