(Long-Toed Salamander)
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(Long-Toed Salamander) |
| COMMON NAME: Long-Toed Salamander
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ambystoma macrodactylum
STATUS: Federal- No
status; States- No status
RANKING: Global- Secure, Idaho-
Secure, Nevada- Not provided
FOREST PRESENT: Boise, Challis, Payette,
Salmon, Sawtooth
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DESCRIPTION: The Long-Toed Salamander is a small salamander, less than 6 3/4 inches long and typically has a greenish to yellow back stripe. On some individuals, the stripe maybe blotched or faded. It has long toes, with the 4th toe of the hind foot exceptionally long. Like the other mole salamanders, there is no nasiolabal groove but distinct costal grooves, which number between 12-13.
LIFE HISTORY: The Long-Toed Salamander has a wide environmental amplitude. It can be found from semi-arid sagebrush/cheatgrass plains to alpine meadows and high mountain lakes. Elevations range from sea level to 10,000 feet. It is usually found under logs, rocks or other debris near water. The adults are subterranean except during the breeding season. In cold areas, the larvae may over winter before transformation.
The specie's range extends from Southeast Alaska to Central
California. In the Intermountain Region, the species maybe found
as far south as the Boise and Sawtooth National Forests and as far East
as the Salmon-Challis National Forest.
BREEDING: The Long-Toed Salamander is a early breeder and may enter permanent or temporary ponds even before they are completely ice free. They prefer quiet water for breeding. The males usually arrive before the females and stay longer. The adults usually migrate at night when it is raining.
The eggs are laid singly or in clusters up to 100 eggs. A single female can lay from 85 to over 400 eggs. The eggs can be found attached to vegetation or loose on the bottom. The larvae feed on zooplankton and immature macro-invertebrates and even other salamander larvae. In cold areas, the larvae may over winter before transformation.
DIET: The larvae feed on zooplankton
and immature macro-invertebrates and even other salamander larvae.
Adults eat a wide variety of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, including
insects, spiders, earthworms, slugs, and amphipods.
USDA,
Forest Service
Federal
Building
324
25th Street
Ogden,
Utah 84401
