Western (Barred) Tiger Salamander
Ambystoma mavortium (Baird, 1860)
Range: Western-Central Canada and United States
Habitat: Lowland Forest, Meadows, Semi-Desert, Streams
Diet: Insects, Slugs, Earthworms
Social Grouping: Solitary
Reproduction: Breeding can take place year round, influenced by rainfall and elevation. Breed in temporary and permanent bodies of water. Eggs (from 100-1000) are laid in the water either singly or in small clusters. Complete metamorphosis to adult stage in 2-6 months, though some remain in larval stage for life (neoteny)
Lifespan: 20 Years
Conservation Status: IUCN Least Concern
- One of the largest North American salamanders, usually 7.5-16.5 centimeters, about 125 grams, but can be as long as 38 centimeters. Broad head, stocky body
- Dorsal color gray, black, or dark brown, with yellow spots, stripes, and bars. Broad geographical variation in color and patterning.
- Adults are primarily terrestrial, though usually found near water. Spend much of their time underground in burrows, either dug themselves or by other species. As juveniles, they have an aquatic larval stage with large, external gills
- Larvae may be cannibalistic; cannibal larval morphs have enlarged mouths with bigger teeth
- Introduced to southern Arizona after larvae were used as fishing bait
- State amphibian of Kansas and Colorado
- Genus from the Greek for "blunt snout," referring to the broad head and rounded snout; species name references the Roman God of War
- Sometimes considered a subspecies of eastern tiger salamander, A. tigrinum. Five recognized subspecies: nominate, A. m melanostictum (blotched), A. m. nebulosum (Arizona), A. m. stebbinsi (Sonoran), and A. m. diaboli (gray)
- Declines have been reported due to habitat loss and pollution. Also potentially impacted by invasive fish and crayfish species
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