Tiger Salamander
Last Review/Updated: May 30, 2002
Ambystoma tigrinum
Description
A large, massive salamander with a blotchy complexion. The blotches sometimes form crossbands creating a tiger-like appearance. In general, tiger salamanders are yellowy-white with black, dark brown or dark green striping. Older individuals may become relatively uniform in colour varying from olive to brown or black. A full-grown adult is larger than a long-toed salamander, ranging in length from 140-180 mm and occasionally up to about 200 mm. A subspecies, the grey tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum diaboli) may be present along the Saskatchewan border. It can be distinguished from the tiger salamander in that it tends to have dark spots rather than large blotches.
Natural History
Tiger salamanders are active from spring until fall especially during spring rains, when dozens may appear in an area. Although more tolerant of dry conditions than many salamanders, nonetheless, they are usually found near lakes or small bodies of water. They are generally nocturnal and quite secretive, living under logs and debris or even in burrows. tiger salamanders also have quite an appetite. They have been known to eat small fish, frogs, young mice, and even other salamanders, as well as the more traditional insects and worms. The tiger salamander is currently on the Green List in the Status of Alberta Wildlife and is considered not to be at risk. Populations are healthy and widespread.
Breeding
In early spring, males burrow to the surface and make their way to breeding sites, permanent or semipermanent standing water. Once the females arrive, breeding takes place even if the water is relatively cool (less than 10°C). The eggs are laid singly or in small clusters on submerged objects. It takes about three weeks for the eggs to hatch.
Larvae
When first hatched, the larvae are about 15 mm long but they quickly grow to 75-80 mm over the next few weeks. The colour is somewhat variable, ranging from dull yellow to olive green to dark brown, with a paler belly. Three to four months after hatching, the larvae transform into salamanders, or they may overwinter before transforming. Some larvae never even make this transformation. Referred to as neotenous tiger salamanders, these individuals remain in the larval state but continue to grow and mature. They may even become larger than normal tiger salamanders.
Distribution
Tiger salamanders are widely distributed in southern and central Alberta and Saskatchewan. They are found in a variety of habitats, including short-grass prairie, aspen parkland, boreal forest, and even subalpine areas up to elevations of roughly 2800 m. Monitoring
Tiger Salamanders are primarily nocturnal, making them difficult to locate outside of the breeding season. In addition, unlike frogs and toads, salamanders do not call and hence can be somewhat more difficult to locate. Nonetheless, it is during the breeding season that salamanders are easiest to find when they congregate at breeding ponds. |
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| Life Stage | April | May | June | July | August | Sept. |
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