Ambystoma opacum

Marbled salamanders are one of the few North American amphibians that deposit their eggs in late summer and early fall.
Photo Credit: Geoffrey A. Hammerson
Ambystoma opacum
Common Name: marbled salamander
Animal Guild: Amphibian
Class > Order > Family: Amphibia > Caudata > Ambystomatidae
What does the species look like? Marbled salamanders have smooth skin with vertical grooves on each side of the torso, a broad head, and small eyes. The upper side is black with whitish or grayish bands. The belly is plain black. Maximum total length is about 5 inches (13 cm). Juveniles are black or brown with numerous tiny light dots on the upperside. Older larvae have large external gills and a conspicuous row of light spots on each sides bordered by less distinct rows The throat has dispersed, uniform dark stippling, and the chest and sides of the belly have scattered dark specks. Eggs are small separate spheres with clear jelly.
Where is the species found?
States & Provinces
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV
Distribution

Range extends from southern New Hampshire southward to northern Florida, west through southeastern New York to the southern Lake Michigan region, and south to eastern Oklahoma, eastern Texas, and the Gulf Coast. The species is absent from most of the Appalachian Mountains.

Marbled salamanders live in various wooded habitats, near swamps or vernal pools. They are more tolerant of dry habitats than are most salamanders and can be found in rocky or sandy forests. Adults are entirely terrestrial and spend most of their time under surface objects or underground. Eggs are laid in forest depressions such as vernal pool basins and sometimes at the edges of permanent ponds, swamps, and slow-moving streams. These sites lack standing water in late summer or early fall but are inundated by fall rains and generally hold standing water through winter and into at least early summer of the next year. Oviposition sites typically are in mineral soil beneath protective cover of leaf litter, logs, detritus, or rocks.
General Phenology and Life History Adults migrate seasonally between upland nonbreeding habitat and wetland breeding sites. Migration distances generally are no more than a few hundred meters. Mating and egg deposition occur in late summer or early fall (August-November; earlier in the north than in the south). Mating often occurs before the female arrives at pond-basin nesting areas. Females deposit single clutches of up to about 250 eggs, typically in dry pond basins; the female remains with the eggs until the nest is flooded, although she may desert the eggs if disturbed before flooding. Eggs hatch in fall (usually) or as late as spring, depending on when rains flood the nest. Larvae metamorphose in spring or early summer and move into upland habitats. Most first-time breeders are at least a few years old. Maximum life-span is at least 11-12 years.
Which phenophases should I observe?
Do you see/hear...?
Activity Adults on land
One or more adults are seen at rest or active on land.
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Adults feeding
One or more adults are seen feeding. If possible, record the name of the species or substance being eaten or describe it in the comments field.

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Reproduction Fresh eggs
Eggs are seen being extruded, an egg mass is seen with jelly not expanded to full size, or embryos that are more or less spherical are seen.

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Development Dead adults
One or more dead adults are seen.

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What do these phenophases look like?

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