The spotted salamander is a fairly common creature that is rarely seen. They generally live in burrows underground and just don't seem to come out much. But sometimes on a rainy night you can get lucky and find one roaming around.
Last night I saw this young one out in the open. Adults can be quite large, approaching ten inches long, but this one was only about four inches and likely a first year juvenile. But they can live to over 30 years old, so it should have a long life ahead of it.
Last night I saw this young one out in the open. Adults can be quite large, approaching ten inches long, but this one was only about four inches and likely a first year juvenile. But they can live to over 30 years old, so it should have a long life ahead of it.
Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) seen near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
For a size comparison, here is a photo of a northern slimy salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) that was on the other side of a downed branch. The slimy was around nine inches long. Lots of salamanders and frogs were out last night.
A large northern slimy salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) near a spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum).
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