Smallmouth Salamander

Smallmouthed Salamander

Scientific Name: Ambystoma texanum
Family: Ambystomatidae

Description and Size

  • Smooth, slimy skin
  • Short fore and hind limbs
  • Small head and mouth
  • Total length: 10.0-14.0 cm (3.9-5.5 inches)
  • Has speckles throughout entire body
  • Speckles: Grayish-blue, silver, or bronze
  • Base color: olive green to brown

Habitat

  • Fishless, permanent or semi-permanent bodies of water (Larvae)
  • Moist woodlands
  • Moist prairies
  • Agricultural ditches
  • Crawfish burrows

Diet

  • Aquatic invertebrates (Larvae)
  • Worms
  • Terrestrial arthropods

Life History

  • Nocturnal, rarely diurnal
  • Active season: Late February – December (Walston and Mullin, 2007)
  • Breeding season: Late Winter – late April
  • Lays gelatinous eggs
  • Number of eggs: 100s of per female

Range

Updated Smallmouth Salamander

Most common range within the last 50 years and does not include outliers. For more info email dferraro1@unl.edu.