• View
• Edit
• History
• Print

Mole Salamander (Ambystoma talpoideum)

Description Habitats Habits and Life History Prey and Hunting Techniques

Temperament and Defense Conservation State Distribution and Abundance Gallery

Contributors Bibliography Discussion

Description

Habitats

Found in bottomland hardwood areas, oak forests and low lands in southern Arkansas river floodplains. Occasionally found in upland areas in hardwood stream valleys.

Habits and Life History

Breeds December to March in shallow, temporary woodland pools and fish less ponds near hardwood forests. This species is rarely seen above ground, except occasionally it can be found crossing roads on rainy late winter or early spring nights. ⚠ Larvae metamorphose at about three inches long in May or June.

Prey and Hunting Techniques

Temperament and Defense

Conservation

Bottomland hardwood areas and associated wetlands should be protected from draining and clear cutting to protect this species.

State Distribution and Abundance

Gallery

⚠ (:flickrgallery:)

Contributors

Tobin Fulmer

Bibliography

• Behler, J. L., and F. W. King. 1979 (1987). The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. 3rd ed. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 743 pp.
• Conant, R., and J. T. Collins. 1998. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. 3rd ed., Expanded. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston. 616 pp.
• Trauth, S. E., H. W. Robison, and M. V. Plummer. 2004. Amphibians and Reptiles of Arkansas. University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville. 421 pp.

Discussion

< Marbled Salamander | Salamander | Small-mouthed Salamander >