Scientific Name: Ambystoma tigrinum
Size: 7-8.25 inches (18-21 cm) in length
PA Status: Extirpated

Habitat Type:
Woodlands, open fields, and meadows with soil suitable for burrowing.

Colorations:

• The dorsal background color is brown to brownish black with large olive to olive-yellow variable spots and irregular bars that are present along the dorsum, sides, tail , head and legs.
• The ventral is yellow-olive with dark blotches.

Characteristics:

• Large, stout, heavy bodied species.
• The head is short with a bluntly rounded stout.
• The limbs are strong and well-developed.
• The feet have short broad toes with dark brown cornified tips
• 12-13 costal grooves.

Juvenile coloration and characteristics:

• Similar to adults, but dorsal pattern more diffused.

Larvae coloration and characteristics:

• The dorsal is dull green with black spotting.
• The ventral is white.
• The head is broad with a rounded snout.
• The gills are bushy.
• The dorsal fin is broad.

Hatchling coloration and characteristics:

• The dorsal has a pair of blotches.
• The ventral is unpigmented.

Confused with:

• None

Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults

Juveniles

Range Map:

References:

• Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 63-66pp.
• Petranka, James W. ,1998. Salamanders of the United States and Canada. 108-127pp.

Photo Credits:

• Tom Diez
• Bob Hamilton
• Dave Emma
• Brandon Curtis