Eastern Tiger Salamander

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

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

Description:
Large, stout, heavy bodied species. The 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 underside is yellow-olive with dark blotches.

Adult Coloration:
  • 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.
Adult 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 Characteristics:
  • Similar to adults, but dorsal pattern more diffused..
  • The dorsal has a pair of blotches.
  • The ventral is unpigmented.
Larvae 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.
Range:

Adult Gallery:

Juvenile Gallery:

May be Confused With:
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.
Credits:
  • Tom Diez
  • Bob Hamilton
  • Dave Emma
  • Brandon Curtis

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