Characteristics:
A medium sized salamander with a length of around 7in. They have a pale gray or black coloration with an irregular pattern of lighter gray blotches. As the name suggests, they have a small mouth and a short stumpy snout. Small-mouthed salamanders have 14 to 16 costal grooves.
Habitat:
Found in lowland floodplain woods. Also can be found in prairies and old pasture lands if adequate breeding pools exist.
Behavior:
Like other Ambystomatids, they spend much of their time underground. They are most commonly seen moving to breeding pools in the late winter or early spring. The females attach the egg clusters to sticks and other vegetation in the water. The small-mouthed salamander eats earthworms and a variety of other small invertebrates.
Personal Remarks:
We really only see these guys in the spring around here. They cross the roads in large numbers in late February and early March. They are amazingly tolerant of cold weather. We have seen them out moving around on rainy nights down in the low 40s. It is pretty wild to see amphibians moving around when there is still the chance of snow. These guys are found right along side the spotted salamanders. In one night we might see upwards of 20 of these guys crossing the road.
A medium sized salamander with a length of around 7in. They have a pale gray or black coloration with an irregular pattern of lighter gray blotches. As the name suggests, they have a small mouth and a short stumpy snout. Small-mouthed salamanders have 14 to 16 costal grooves.
Habitat:
Found in lowland floodplain woods. Also can be found in prairies and old pasture lands if adequate breeding pools exist.
Behavior:
Like other Ambystomatids, they spend much of their time underground. They are most commonly seen moving to breeding pools in the late winter or early spring. The females attach the egg clusters to sticks and other vegetation in the water. The small-mouthed salamander eats earthworms and a variety of other small invertebrates.
Personal Remarks:
We really only see these guys in the spring around here. They cross the roads in large numbers in late February and early March. They are amazingly tolerant of cold weather. We have seen them out moving around on rainy nights down in the low 40s. It is pretty wild to see amphibians moving around when there is still the chance of snow. These guys are found right along side the spotted salamanders. In one night we might see upwards of 20 of these guys crossing the road.
