Michigan Herps

Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)

Identification: A large dark brown, purplish, or black salamander with the yellow spots scattered along its body. Their bodies are large and chunky with folds of skin along their sides. One of the larger species of salamander in the state, adult size is 4-9 inches.

Habitat: Spotties can be found in damp woodlands where small vernal pools exist. There vernal pools serve as breeding grounds for the salmanders and provide safe places for their eggs to be laid.

Spotted Salamanders are part of the Mole Salamander family (Ambystoma) and are becoming a rarer sight throughout the state. They are often seen after the first rains of spring and then disappear throughout the hot and dry months of the summer. They can be found under or around rotting logs near marshland.

Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)

Identification: A large black or dark brown salamander with white blotches and bands running across the head, back, and tail. Marbled's show similar skin folds along their sides just like the Spotted Salamander. A medium-sized species of salamander, adult size is 3-5 inches.

Habitat: Marbled Salamanders inhabit deciduous forests during the spring and summer, and then migrate to low damp woodlands in the fall to breed.

Marbled Sallies are also members of the Mole Salamander family because they like to spend a lot of their time under ground. Unlike most other salamanders which breed in the spring, Marbled Salamanders breed in the later fall months in damp lowland woodlands. Marbled Salamanders are listed as THREATENED in Michigan.

Blue-spotted Salamander (Ambystoma laterale)

Identification: A medium-sized salamander that is black or very dark gray in color, with flecks of blue all over its body. These flecks may even be turqoise in color. Shows the same charachteristic skin folds on it's sides typical of the Mole Salamanders. Adult size is 3-5 inches.

Habitat: Blue-spotted Salamanders are found in a wide variety of habitats. They can be found in woodlands and even in dryer fields. They seem to prefer damp or swampy woodlands which have vernal pools for them to use for breeding purposes.

This species is one of the more common salamanders species found in Michigan, they can be found under and around damp rotting logs in their habitats. There are some intergrades that are found in southern Michigan which may appear to be more gray in color.

Small-mouthed Salamander (Ambystoma texanum)

Identification: A large dark gray, brown, or black salamander with faint pattered of gray markings on its head, back, and tail. The head is very small compared to the rest of the body, and the snout is very short and almost blunt. Has charachteristic skin folds along its sides like the other members of the Mole Salamander family. A rather large species, adult size is 4-7 inches.

Habitat: Small-mouthed Sallies typically inhabit moist woodlands in Southeastern Michigan where they have access to vernal pools for breeding during the spring months.

The small head and short, blunt snout give the Small-mouthed Salamanders it's name.  This species only is found in a few counties of southeastern Michigan. It is listed as ENDANGERED by the state and should not be collected or disturbed.

Eastern Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum)

Identification: A very large brown or black, olive, or brown salamander with yellow or light brown blotches on its head, back and tail. The belly and chin are yellow or light brown in color. It's head is very large and the eyes are small. Skin folds along the side of the body are apparent. The largest species of salamander in Michigan, adult size is 7-13 inches.

Habitat: Tigers are found in damp woodlands, marshes, fields, creek beds, and even in some damp suburban areas. They prefer habitat with vernal pools that can be utilized for breeding.

The Eastern Tiger Salamander is the largest species of salamander in Michigan, sometimes growing to 13 inches in length. They are veracious predators, eating earthworms, slugs, insects, and even on smaller species of salamanders. They are found in the western and southern lower peninsula.

Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum)

Identification: A small gray or brownish salamander with an orange colored tail. The body is small and thin and sometimes has grayish speckles on the head, back, and tail. It only has four toes on each foot, while most other salamander species have five toes on each foot. A very small species of salamander, adult size is only 2-4 inches.

Habitat: Four-toed sallies are found in damp woodlands with nearby bogs and creeks.

The Four-toed Salamander is found statewide and common throughout that range. Although their populations are spotty due to development in and around bog habitat. They normally feed on insects, eathworms, and spiders. 

Northern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

Identification: A very thin salamander which is often dark brown or gray in color with a lighter colored stripe down its back. This strip may either be red or orange in color, or it could be a gray or lead coloration. The belly is covered in white and blacks specks, often called a "salt and pepper" coloration. A medium sized species, adult size is 2-5 inches.

Habitat: The Red-backaed Salamander makes its home in woodlands across the state. It seems to prefer woodlands with lots of cover such as leaf litter and rotting logs.

The Red-backed Salamander is the most common species of salamander in Michigan, and it can be found in both the Upper & Lower peninsulas.

Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)

Identification: A small salamander like amphibian which comes in a aquatic and land dwelling form. Efts (land dwelling form) as shown at right, are red of orange in color with a normal tail. They also have a normal tapering tail. The aquatic form is usually and olive color with a flattened tail which allows it to swim well in its environment. Adult size is 2-5 inches.

Habitat: Newts inhabit shallow weedy ponds, slow moving streams, shallow areas of lakes, bogs, marshes, and ditches. The land dwelling form can be found in damp woodlands surrounding these habitats.

Eastern Newts are generally uncommon throughout the state, but local populations can be very dense. if pollution or encroachment disturbs their environment, Newts seem to disappear from the area.

Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus)

Identification: Mudpuppies are large and permanently aquatic salamanders that spend their entire lives moving through rocky clear shallows searching for food. They are brown or gray in color with red gills on either side of their had that allow them to breathe underwater. Adult size is 8-20 inches.

Habitat: Mudpuppies inhabit most of the freshwater inland lakes throughout Michigan, as well as clear shallow bays of the Great Lakes. They can also be found in clear streams, rivers, marshes, and ponds.

Diet:  Favorite foods include crayfish, worms, snails, slugs, and insect larvae.

Photo by Mike Graziano