(Idaho Giant Salamander)
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(Idaho Giant Salamander) |
| COMMON NAME: Idaho Giant Salamander
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Dicamptodon aterrimus STATUS: Federal- No status; States: Idaho- No status, but recommended as Species of Special concern, Priority-A RANKING: Global- Vulnerable; Idaho- Critically Imperil FOREST PRESENT:
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DESCRIPTION: The Idaho Giant Salamander,
while superficially similar in appearance to the Tiger Salamander, has
indistinct costal grooves and lacks foot tubercles. It has a stocker
build than the Tiger Salamander and has smoother skin. It occasionally
reaches the same length (13 inches) as the Tiger Salamander but is normally
only 7 to 11 3/4 inches long. Skin color ranges from brownish to
purple to black with irregular lighter colored marbling on the back. Larvae
have short external gills which helps differentiate them from Tiger Salamander
larvae.
LIFE HISTORY: Idaho Giant Salamander
Larvae inhabit clear, cold streams, and mountain lakes and ponds in the
Central Idaho portion of Region 4. Adults can be found in moist,
coniferous forest under rocks, logs, bark near mountain streams or rocky
shores of mountain lakes. They are sometimes found crawling in damp
woods, even during daylight, and have been known to climb vegetation to
a height of eight feet. They can be found as high as 7,000 feet in
elevation.
BREEDING: Breeding occurs during Spring and Fall in the headwaters of mountain streams. Eggs are deposited and attached singly beneath rocks, logs, or rocks crevices. Larvae can be found under stones or on the bottom in plant debris, particularly on the downstream side of shallow pools.
DIET: Larvae feed on a wide variety
of small invertebrates and vertebrates, including other larval salamanders.
Adults eat terrestrial invertebrates and small snakes, shrews, mice, and
salamanders. They should be handled with care as their bite can cut
through skin.
USDA,
Forest Service
Federal
Building
324
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Ogden,
Utah 84401