Spotted Salamander Facts for Kids

Portrait of a male spotted salamander. Photo by Wirestock / iStock.com.

Named for the two rows of yellow and orange spots speckled along their black backs, spotted salamanders are large members of the mole salamander family.

On average, they measure about 18 cm (7 in.), but they can reach lengths up to 23 cm (9 in.) long!

Common in the forests of the eastern United States and eastern Canada, spotted salamanders make their homes in areas that are close to ponds and vernal pools.

But despite their thriving populations, the dark amphibians are difficult to find. Adults spend most of their day hiding underground or beneath rocks and logs.

Spotted salamanders are named for the two rows of yellow and orange spots speckled along their black backs. Photo by talltrevor / iStock.com.

Metamorphosis

Spotted salamanders are amphibians. That means their young breathe through gills underwater.

As they mature, the juveniles undergo metamorphosis where they lose their gills and fins and develop lungs and legs. When they are adults, spotted salamanders live on land.

Poisonous Amphibians

When threatened, spotted salamanders secrete a sticky white toxin from their backs and tails.

The bitter taste of the poison dissuades predators such as skunks, raccoons, turtles, chipmunks, squirrels, opossums, and snakes from eating them.

Then the next time a predator sees a salamander with bright yellow spots on its back, it’ll think twice before approaching.

When threatened, spotted salamanders secrete a sticky white toxin from their backs. Photo by JasonOndreicka / iStock.com.

Ability to Regrow Limbs

Spotted salamanders, like other salamanders, have the amazing ability to regrow limbs. That means if a predator bites their tail or leg off, they can grow a new one!

Spotted salamanders can regrow full limbs, including muscle, bone, and nerves, in 250-300 days.

What Spotted Salamanders Eat

Venturing out from their hiding spots at night to hunt, spotted salamanders eat just about anything they can catch and swallow, including worms, spiders, insects, and slugs.

Spotted salamanders come out at night to eat just about anything they can catch and swallow. Photo by JasonOndreicka / iStock.com.

Spotted Salamander Reproduction

In early spring, spotted salamanders wake from their hibernation and migrate to ponds to mate for several days.

They return to the same pond each year. Thousands of spotted salamanders will travel to a breeding pond at the same time.

Spotted salamander eggs. Photo credit: Jeff Clark, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

During the breeding period, females lay up to 200 eggs in the water, which are encased in a jelly-like coating.

The coating helps protect the eggs from predators like fish, turtles, aquatic insects, birds, frogs, and crayfish.

A few weeks after being laid, the eggs hatch. Larval spotted salamanders have feathery gills on the outside of their bodies. They live underwater, feeding and growing for up to 4 months.

A spotted salamander larva three days after hatching. Photo credit: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Once juveniles undergo metamorphosis, they climb onto land. When they reach adulthood they are able to breed.

Spotted salamanders can live up to 20 years in the wild.

Conservation Status

The spotted salamander is listed by the IUCN as a species of least concern. However, development of wooded areas that contain their breeding grounds can put their populations at risk.

Spotted salamanders are also at risk of being run over by cars when they cross streets to reach their breeding grounds.

What You Can Do to Help

If you live in an area with a population of spotted salamanders, you can help by keeping an eye out for salamanders that are crossing the road. You can also help preserve forests and vernal ponds in your area.

Spotted Salamander Range

Common in the forests of the eastern United States and eastern Canada, spotted salamanders make their homes in areas that are close to ponds and vernal pools.