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Ambystoma macrodactylum (Long-toed Salamander) |
Dicamptodon aterrimus (Idaho Giant Salamander) |
Ambystoma tigrinum (Tiger Salamander) |
The mole salamanders (Family Ambystomatidae) are found only in North America. Like other members of the Order Caudata, they have slender bodies, long tails and distinct body regions with arms and legs of about the same size. They superficially resemble the lizards but lack the scaly skin, claws and external ear openings of these reptiles.
Adult mole salamanders have stocky bodies and limbs, short broad heads and small eyes. A key characteristic is the absence of a nasolabial groove and the presence of distinct costal grooves. They have smooth skin and the teeth, in the roof of the mouth, are in one transverse row. Their tails are flattened. Males have a swollen vent during breeding and longer tails than females. Adults are nocturnal, terrestrial, and frequent moist locations above and below ground.
Mole salamander larvae also have wide heads and large
tailfins. Their gills are long and feathery. Like the adults,
larvae are carnivorous. Most salamanders are voiceless.
OTHER FAMILY PAGES:
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(Mole Salamanders) |
(Tailed Frog) |
(Spadefoot Toads) |
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(True Toads) |
(Tree Frogs) |
(True Frogs) |
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