Amphibians & Reptiles – Salamanders

Salamanders

Salamanders are in the order of amphibians named Caudata, which includes mudpuppies, newts, and sirens. There are about 760 species of salamanders worldwide and 121 species are endangered. With the exception of a few in the Amazon basin, they are found only in the northern hemisphere. They live in habitats that provide sufficient humidity levels to keep their skin moist, from sea level to nearly 15,000 feet in altitude.

^{Northern zig-zag salamander, Plethodon dorsalis, by John P Clare, 2016}

^{Marbled salamander, Ambystoma opacum, by Jupiterimages, PhotoImages}

The smallest species are lungless salamanders of southern Mexico, growing to an inch in length. The largest species are the Chinese great salamanders, about six feet in length. They are often mistaken for lizards, having smooth or bumpy skin, but can be easily identified by their total lack of scales. All salamanders have a tail which is rounded in terrestrial species but slightly flattened and often crested in aquatic species. Most salamanders are grey, brown, or white, but a few terrestrial species are brightly colored. Cave dwelling salamanders often lack all pigment and appear pinkish-white in daylight.

^{* Western lesser siren, Siren intermedia nettingi, by Peter Paplanus, 2013}

^{Long-tailed salamander, Eurycea longicauda longicauda, by Meghan Alessi, Getty Images}

Salamanders, other than cave-dwellers, tend to have well-developed eyes. Research shows they are very attuned to differentiating brightness, but cannot see colors. Their eyes are large and provide nearly 360 degrees of view. Salamanders have no external ears, but can detect vibrations received through their jaw bones. Although some species can emit small squeaks, salamanders have no vocal chords or voice box and do not use vocal communications. Their sense of smell is well-developed and plays an important part in locating prey and mates.

^{* Hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis}
^{alleganiensis, by Jason Ondreicka, Getty Images}

^{Cave salamander, Eurycea lucifuga, by Alfred Crabtree, 2012}

Salamanders may have functional lungs, non-functioning lungs, or no lungs. All species have the ability to exchange gases directly through their skin and the membranes inside their mouth and throat, but this also requires that the skin remain moist at all times. Terrestrial salamanders depend on moisture found in deep leaf litter, holes in trees in temperate zones, or moisture collected in bromeliads growing on trees in tropical zones.

^{Four-toed salamander, Hemidactylium scutatum,}
^{by Jason Ondreicka, Getty Images}

Salamanders have three sets of glands located under the skin, covering their entire body. Mucous glands secrete a sticky liquid that is spread over their body keeping the skin from drying out. When salamanders are in the water, the mucous acts as a lubricant, enhancing their swimming ability. A second set, called the granular glands, produce toxins and odors unique to each species that helps to deter predators and attract mates. A third set of glands is a mixture of the first two, doing a little bit of the work of each.

^{Small-mouthed salamander, Ambystoma texanum,}
^{by Jupiterimages, PhotoImages}

^{Tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum, by John P Clare, 2013}

Salamanders are not as noticeable as many other species. They prefer secrecy and out-of-the-way hiding places. Most species are active at dusk and into the nighttime. All salamanders are carnivorous, feeding on small crustaceans, insects, spiders, and their favorite food – worms. Predators include snakes, lizards, fish, birds, and small mammals. Salamanders defend themselves by exhibiting threatening poses and emitting toxins, many with a bad odor. As a last defense, they may voluntarily lose their tails to a predator, a trait known as autotomy. A new tail can be grown within a few weeks.

Salamanders are easy to care for and their habitats are easily duplicated making them widely distributed in the pet trade and for use in laboratories. Additional conservation impacts come from habitat fragmentation, or habitat degradation, or habitat loss due to draining of wetlands and forest clearing.

^{Northern slimy salamander, Plethodon}
^{glutinosus glutinosus,}
^{by Jason Ondreicka, Getty Images}

^{Red-backed salamander, Plethodon cinereus cinereus, by Steve Byland, Getty Images}

In Illinois, we have 20 species of salamanders, pictured throughout this blog. Seventeen are terrestrial and three are aquatic (*). Consider coming to the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum or a nature museum near you to learn more about salamanders in your area.

Spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, by Louisianatreefarmer, Getty Images
Blue-spotted salamander, Ambystoma laterale, by Jason Ondreicka, Getty Images
Central newt, Notophthalmus viridescens louisianensis, by Andrew DuBois, 2016
Dusky salamander, Desmognathus fuscus conanti, by Jason Ondreicka, Getty Images
* Mud puppy, Necturus maculosus maculosus, by Andrew Hoffman, 2010
Three-toed salamander, Amphiuma tridactylum, by Peter Paplanus, 2016
Southern two-lined salamander, Eurycea cirrigera, by Peter Paplanus, 2021
Mole salamander, Ambystoma talpoideum, by Andrew DuBois, 2016
Dark-sided salamander, Eurycea longicauda melanopleura, by Andrew Hoffman, 2010

Illinois State Symbols, pt.2

Last week, we learned about state symbols covering many of the natural wonders found in Illinois. The following paragraphs describe the state symbols for the animals that have earned recognition.

In the early 1900s, the first forest preserves in the nation were in Chicago setting aside rare habitats that would protect animal and plant diversity. Over 94% of Illinois land areas are considered rural, including 1.4 million acres of wetlands. The Illinois State Fish, the Bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, is found in lakes and ponds and was selected by schoolchildren in 1986. Also known as bream or brim, the name refers to the bright blue gill covers sported by the male.

Eastern tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum, by John P Clare, Apr 2013

The State Amphibian is the Eastern Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum, the largest terrestrial salamander in Illinois. This State Amphibian and State Reptile were voted on by citizens in 2004 and approved by the Illinois General Assembly in 2005. It has a large head and dark body with irregular yellow blotches. It can be found everywhere in the state, although it is uncommon in large agricultural areas.

Painted turtle by Victoria Pickering, May 2020

Eastern Milk Snake, Lampropeltis triangulum, by Peter Paplanus, May 2019

There are two reptiles recognized in Illinois. The State Reptile is the Painted Turtle, Chrysemys picta, a species found in all aquatic habitats in Illinois. It is dark olive with yellow, red, or orange markings covering the plastron, forelegs, and both sides of the head. In addition, we have a State Snake, the Eastern Milk Snake, Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum. Its body is gray covered with large brown blotches with black borders. Milk snakes average 24″-43″ long, and live in fields, woodlands, and rocky areas. When agitated, the snake will vibrate its tail and hiss before striking. They are constrictors that feed on small mammals.

Monarch, Danaus plexippus, on swamp milkweed by Anita Gould, Aug 2005

Pollinator species are important to the agricultural industry. Plants of all kinds require pollination in order to set seed. Insects are one of the most important groups of pollinators. Butterflies, bees, wasps, flies, ants, beetles and many more all feed on nectar offered by plants. In the process, they collect pollen on their bodies, sometimes to eat and other times inadvertently as they push through the flower to obtain nectar. Pollen is then transferred to other plants the insect visits. The State Insect is the Monarch Butterfly, Danaus plexippus, chosen by schoolchildren in 1975. Monarchs lay eggs and feed on many of the state’s native milkweed species. The butterfly’s orange coloring is a warning to predators not to attempt to eat a monarch which consumes, processes, and stores toxins from milkweed plants for its own defense.

Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinals, by Marcel Milliard, Dec 2020

White-tailed deer in corn, Matthew Paulson, Jul 2014

The State Bird is the Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis. Selected by schoolchildren in 1929, the cardinal beat out several other choices including bluebird, meadowlark, bobwhite, and oriole. The cardinal, a medium-sized songbird, is known for the males’ bright red feathers. It prefers the forest edge where it can enjoy both prairie and woodland resources for hunting and shelter, but is often seen in backyards. The State Animal, White-tailed Deer, Odocoileus virginianus, also enjoys living along the forest edge. Selected in 1980, deer have some amazing abilities. They are able to run at 40 miles per hour and jump over a 9-foot high fence. They are excellent swimmers, traveling 13 miles-per-hour in the water. Native Americans and settlers both heavily relied on deer for buckskin clothing and food.

State symbols are representative of items and species that are present in our state. Take the opportunity to observe these natural wonders on your next outdoor adventure.

Salamanders

Spotted salamander eggs, *Ambystoma maculatum*, by Vicki DeLoach, Feb 2022

Salamanders are currently active in the very early days of spring, sometimes before the ice has left the ponds. They are already leaving their burrows and heading to nearby ponds to mate. After finding a mate, males will deposit one to two spermatophores, a large gelatinous glob capped with sperm, into a quiet patch of water in a woodland pond. His mate will crawl over it, taking up sperm into her cloaca and storing it for a few days up to a year until she uses it to internally fertilize her eggs. Egg sacs containing one to several hundred eggs are attached to vegetation near the bottom of a quiet patch of water. Eggs hatch into aquatic, gilled larvae called tadpoles that spend four to six months growing in the pond. They will transform into adults near the end of summer and leave the aquatic habitat to live in woodland areas, returning to ponds to breed each year.

*Ambystoma maculatum*, Spotted salamander by James Harding, MSU

Spotted salamanders, Ambystoma maculatum, are abundant over the entire Great Lakes region, although they are rarely seen after the spring breeding season. They live in burrows dug by other animals, under logs, or under leaf litter. Feeding on snails, slugs, and small invertebrates, they prefer to forage in woods adjacent to semi-permanent wetlands. Populations will quickly disappear if woodland habitats are disturbed by clearing, grazing, or human activities.

*Ambystoma laterale*, Blue-spotted salamander by James Harding, MSU

Blue-spotted salamanders, Ambystoma laterale, are more cold-tolerant and are among the first species in our area to move to the ponds in late February and early March as temperatures warm and snow disappears. They prefer moist woodlands and they are not bothered by woodland disturbances. They can also be found in drier upland woods, backyards, and urban areas as long as there is nearby water. During the warmer months, blue-spotted salamanders can sometimes be found hunting during the day, especially during rainstorms.

*Ambystoma tigrinum*, Tiger salamander by James Harding, MSU

Eastern Tiger Salamander larva, *Ambystoma tigrinum*, by John P. Clare, Apr 2013

Tiger salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum, are one of the more aggressive species of salamander, readily eating larger prey including other salamanders. They live near vernal streams, ponds, and marshes. Unlike other salamanders that live in abandoned animal burrows, tiger salamanders will dig their own burrows, up to two feet deep. They prefer permanent bodies of water, preferably without fish, but can also be found in prairies, woodlands, and backyards. They are active year-round, avoiding periods of temperature extremes by staying deep underground.

*Notophthalmus viridescens louisianensis*, Central newt by Andrew DuBois, Nov 2016

*Necturus maculosus*, Common mudpuppy by Andrew Hoffman, June 2012

The central newt, Notophthalmus viridescens louisianensis, and the common mudpuppy, Necturus maculosus, are two other species found in this area in the salamander order Caudata. Both of these species have life cycles that differ from the other salamander families. Newts hatch as tadpoles, then metamorphose into juveniles, called efts, and metamorphose a second time to an aquatic adult, returning to live underwater in local wetlands. Mudpuppies hatch as a fully grown adult and live their whole lives in a permanent wetland, never leaving the water. They are mostly nocturnal, but may move about in deeply shaded areas. Mudpuppies can swim like a fish, folding their legs flat against the sides of their body, or walk on the bottom. They can be easily identified by the large red gills directly behind their heads.

All species of salamanders can secret a toxin along their backs and tails that is deadly to some predators and makes them taste terrible to others. They are harmless to people, but are threatened by loss of wetlands, road building, and woodland clearing activities. The best conservation for all species is protection of our existing wetland habitats. They are small and hard to spot, but keep your eyes open in early spring as you venture out to walk among the forest preserve ponds.