Archives of The Cold Blooded News

The Newsletter of the Colorado Herpetological Society

Volume 29, Number 8;   August, 2002

Tidbits of Information
Tiger Salamander

by Richard Schroeder

Common name:

Tiger salamander. There are numerous subspecies throughout N. America, such as Barred or Texas Barred.

Species:

Ambystoma tigrinum

Origin/range:

Most of the United States except New England, Appalachian Mountains and the West Coast.

Size:

World's largest land-dwelling salamander, 6-13 inches.

Life span:

15-20 years

Active:

Nocturnal

Habitat:

Damp meadows where ground is easily burrowed, woodlands beneath debris near water that contains deep permanent pools. They will sometimes live in crayfish or mammal burrows.

Captive care:

Aquarium ( 10 gallon minimum); high humus content potting soil or mulch several inches deep for burrowing; a layer of sphagnum moss on top; water bowl big enough for soaking; logs, cork bark or hide box. Terrarium like set-up needs to be kept moist.

N.B.:

As with all amphibians, due to their semi-permeable skin, care must be taken that hands are clean before handling.

Temperature:

70°-80°

Foods:

Earthworms, crickets, and pinky mice.

Temperament:

Calm

Breeding:

Very rare in captivity: dependent on rainy seasons in wild. There is no amplexus: spermatophore is picked up by the female for internal fertilization. Many spermatophores are produced by a male during a single courtship. Eggs are laid shortly after mating either singly, in strands or in masses. The eggs hatch in 2-3 weeks. Larva grow rapidly and transform in 3-4 months. Larva will eat aquatic insects and invertebrates.

References:

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians
Royal BC Museum website: <http://rbcrnl.rbcm.gov.bc.ca/end_species/species/tsala.html>