Marbled Salamander Identification

The marbled salamander is a relatively common resident throughout north carolina.

Marbled salamander identification.

Marbled salamanders are part of the mole salamander family which is a group of salamanders endemic to north america and the only genus in the family ambystomatidae. The species generally inhabits deciduous forest and prairie and is absent from much of the appalachian mountains 1 2. The background color is rich black and becomes a light bluish black on the lower sides. The marbled salamander is a stocky boldly banded salamander.

The marbled salamander is listed as a threatened species in michigan. Marbled salamanders are distributed across the eastern us from new hampshire to northern florida and west to lake michigan in the north and texas in the south 1. Red backed salamander occurrence map. At 4 5 inches long it is shorter than its relatives but proportionately chunkier plump.

This species is sexually dimorphic males tend. Small stout bodied species. The upper body pattern is made up of white to light grey crossbands that run across the head body and tail. Marbled salamander occurrence map.

The bands of females tend to be gray while those of males are more white. Like most of the mole salamanders it is secretive spending most of its life under logs or in burrows. Small mouthed salamander occurrence map. The marbled salamander is a mole salamander.

They can be identified by their black dark brown body including its venter with light white silvery crossbandson the dorsum. These are fairly large stout black salamanders with wide silver or white bands. Marbled salamanders are sexually dimorphic and dichromatic meaning that males and females are shaped and colored differently. Sporting white or gray bands across its body this secretive species is known to hide out beneath leaves and logs.

The small mouthed salamander is an endangered species in michigan. Adults can grow to about 11 cm 4 in small compared to other members of its genus. Like most mole salamanders it is relatively thick bodied.