***NY- Special Concern***

Identification- 5-8" (12.5-20 cm) A large, chunky mole salamander, black or gray with paired yellow or orange spots running the length of the back. The venter is slate gray and unmarked. 12 costal grooves. Occasionally unspotted individuals are reported, but these are rare.
    Similar Species- Tiger Salamander is the only mole salamander in our range with a similar pattern, but the Tiger Salamander has irregular spots or flecks which extend onto the sides. In contrast to Spotted Salamanders, Tiger Salamanders have a yellow belly.

Range- Found throughout the range covered.
 

Habitat- Fossorial. Found in moist woodlands and woodland edges. Usually seen within 800 feet (250m) of water. Most common in bottomland forests.

Reproduction- Breeds in vernal ponds, seasonal pools, swamps, ponds, ditches and other stagnant, fish free bodies of water. Synchronized breeder, breeding occurs soon after the first early spring rains. Most breed within a span of one or two weeks in spring, but some may breed earlier or later. Courtship is similar to other mole salamanders, including a circular dance, snout rubbing, and deposition of spermatophore. 2-3 days later eggs are laid in jellylike masses. A symbiotic algae turns the egg mass green. The algae increases oxygen concentrations around the developing embryo. Females deposit 2-4 masses of approx. 150 eggs each. Eggs hatch 4-7 wks later (mid May-June.) Metamorphosis occurs 2-4 mos. later (mid July to September.) Acid rains may have decreased some population levels because the larvae fail to develop in an acidic environment.

General Characteristics-
Like most mole salamanders, Spotted Salamanders are fossorial. Most often found by overturning boards, stones, and logs in woodland habitats. Spotted Salamanders spend most of their life underground, seldom emerging except when migrating to their breeding pools. These salamanders are long lived. The average wild individual survives 8-10 years, have been recorded at over 32 years. Spotted Salamanders are the most common mole salamanders in our range. Feed on a wide variety of invertebrates including snails, worms, spiders, insects, etc. Territorial, they have been known to kill and eat Redback Salamanders that wander into their burrows.