10. Marbled
Salamander - Ambystoma opacum
Description: 3 ½ - 4 ½ " (9-11.7
cm). This salamander appears to have silvery/white bands
across an otherwise black dorsum. These bands can vary
from complete to incomplete. Black belly. 11-13 costal
grooves.
Similar
species in our area: NONE
Lifestyle:
Not very common in our area. Fossorial. Found on L.I.,
extinct elsewhere. Lives under logs and rocks. Found in
our Pine Barrens and deciduous forests. Prefers dry areas,
although sometimes found in moist areas. Mates from Late
August to October. Mating and eggs laid on land. Female
lays 69-150 eggs with an average of around 98. Young emerge
from eggs as early as November when the eggs are flooded
by water and are just under an inch in size. Transform
4-6 months later.
11. Spotted
Salamander - Ambystoma maculatum
Description: 5 5/16 - 9" (13.5 - 23 cm). This species
is quite distinct, with a chubby body, two rows of round
yellow to orange spots and an otherwise black dorsum and
gray belly. Yellow head spotting is more common in our
area. 12 costal grooves.
Similar
species in our area: NONE
Lifestyle:
This species is listed as a "Species of Special Concern"
by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
It is not very common on L.I. and is extinct in the rest
of our area. It is seldom seen because of it’s fossorial
lifestyle, spending most of it’s time under logs and rocks
in forested areas. Found in both moist and dry soils.
A very early breeder, this species mates from March to
April. Around 150-200 gelatinous eggs are laid in masses
in water. Larvae hatch from April to May at around ½"
and transform after 2-4 months. .
12. Eastern
Tiger Salamander - Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum
Description: 5 7/8 - 9 ¾" (15 - 35 cm).
This is our largest salamander. Highly irregular splotches
olive to yellow color on black dorsum. Olive/yellow dorsum.
Very plump, with 12-13 costal grooves.
Similar
species in our area: NONE
Lifestyle:
This species is listed as "Endangered" by the New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation. It is
uncommon and found only on L.I. Fossorial. Live in heavily
forested areas with moist to dry soils in scattered populations
throughout our area. Seldom seen, except during breeding.
They live under logs and rocks and also underground in
rodent and self made burrows. This is the largest salamander
in the eastern U.S. Mates February to April. Gelatinous
egg masses are attached to submerged vegetation. Larvae
hatch during summer at about ½". They transform
into adults when they reach about 4-7". Females lay 205-328
eggs deposited in 5-8 egg masses. Average mass is 41 eggs.
.
13. Blue
Spotted Salamander Complex- Ambystoma laterale x jeffersonianum
Description: 3 ½ - 5 1/8" (9 - 13 cm). Dorsum
grayish to bluish with blue to bluish white speckles.
Belly lighter shading. 12-14 costal grooves.
Similar
species in our area: NONE
Lifestyle:
This species is listed as a "Species of Special Concern"
by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
In our region it is considered quite rare and is only
found on L.I. It prefers acidic, moist areas in wooded
areas. Fossorial. Lives under logs and rocks. Mates from
April to May. Gelatinous eggs are scattered individually
or in small clusters and attached to submerged vegetation.
Emerge late spring to summer. Transform by late summer/early
fall. Long Island was thought to have a population of
the pure blue species, but recently it may have been determined
that they are the common hybrid complex with Jefferson’s
Salamander. .
.
14. Redback
Salamander - Plethodon cinereus
Description: 2 3/8 - 4 ¾" (6 - 12 cm). "Red-backed"
phase has red stripe extending down top of dorsum from
base of head to tip of tail. Sides black to gray, belly
black with white splotches. "Lead backed" phase completely
black to slate gray with same belly as red-backed. 18-20
costal grooves.
Similar
species in our area: May resemble Four-Toed Salamander
(Hemidactylium scutatum), but has five toes on
hind legs and gray belly.
Lifestyle:
Very common and found throughout our area. Found in terrestrial
woodlands and can tolerate disturbed areas. Usually found
under forest debris. This species is completely terrestrial,
including breeding (the only amphibian in our range that
does not need water to lay eggs in). Breeds October through
April. Eggs laid in cluster of 3-14 in June and July.
Eggs laid and develop on land. Larvae hatch at about 1".
May be nocturnally active on forest floor when feeding.
15. Four
Toed Salamander - Hemidactylium scutatum
Description: 2 - 3 ¾" (5.1 - 9.5 cm). Belly
is enamel-white with black speckles while dorsum is red/brown
and sides gray. This species has four toes on hind legs,
and often has a constricted area by the base of the tail.
13-14 costal grooves.
Similar
species in our area: Red-backed salamanders (P. cinereus)
may look similar, but has five toes and enamel-white belly.
Lifestyle:
Not very common. Found on L.I. and is extinct from the
rest of our area. Tolerate both moist and dry woodlands
and wetlands. Live under forest debris. Breeds late winter
to early spring. Lays 18-40 eggs in nest cavity near water.
Nests may be communal with more that 40 eggs. Larvae hatch
late spring at ½" and enter water. Transform late
summer. Great care should be taken if handling this species
because the tail is prone to breaking off at the constriction.
.
16. Red
Spotted Newt - Notophthalmus viridescens
Description: 2 3/8 - 5 1/8" (6 - 13 cm). Yellow
or brown dorsum with bright orange spots. Belly is yellow
to cream with many pepper-like black spots.
Similar
species in our area: NONE
Lifestyle:
This species is not very common by may be abundant locally.
Found throughout most parts of our area. Many individuals
remain completely aquatic in this part of it’s range,
although red efts do sometimes occur if ponds dry up.
Prefers slow moving, vegetated pools with sufficient sunlight.
Mates from March to May. Males tails’ enlarge and take
on a black color during this time. 200-400 eggs laid individually
on submerged vegetation. These hatch from May to
August at 3/8 " (1cm) and transform in late summer.
17. Two
Lined Salamander - Eurycea bislineata
Description: 2 ½ - 4 5/16" (6.4 - 11 cm).
Yellow to brown dorsum, with a dark line running down
each side. Lines may be broken, especially around tail.
Belly pale yellow to white. Tail is oval and compressed.
13-16 costal grooves.
Similar
species in our area: NONE
Lifestyle:
This species is somewhat common and can be found throughout
our area. They prefer to be in or close to rivers, streams
and brooks. May be found under rocks and logs near water’s
edge. Breeds April to July. 15-100 eggs laid under and
on submerged debris. Eggs hatch June and July at ½"
and transform in 1-3 years.
18. Red
Salamander - Pseudotriton ruber
Description: 4 - 6 ¼" (10-16 cm). Completely
red to coral colored stout species. Dorsum heavily speckled
with black spots. Adults become more brownish/purplish
in color. 16-17 costal grooves.
Similar
species in our area: NONE
Lifestyle:
Found only on S.I. and is quite uncommon. Found in and
under mosses and debris in or near moist wetland habitats.
Breeds in early fall. 50-80 eggs laid in water. Hatch
at 1" in late fall. Transform in 2 years. .
19. Dusky
Salamander - Desmognathus fuscus
Description:
2 1/2 - 5 1/2" (6.4 - 11.5 cm). Distinct pale line from
eye to jaw angle. Tail is keeled an triangular. Gray to
brown in color and may be plain or mottled. Venter is
usually lightly mottled with brown or gray. Costal grooves:
14.
Similar
Species in our Area: NONE
Lifestyle:
Found near woodland bodies of water, brooks, springs and
creeks. If this species is still in our area, it is only
found on S.I. and is probably quite rare. Breeds June
to September. Lays 12 to 36 eggs in clusters on aquatic
debris. Larvae hatch in 6-13 weeks. Mature 3-4 years later.
.