Marbled Salamander Identification

It is closely related to the spotted blue spotted and jefferson salamanders.

Marbled salamander identification.

Marbled salamanders are sexually dimorphic and dichromatic meaning that males and females are shaped and colored differently. Sporting white or gray bands across its body this secretive species is known to hide out beneath leaves and logs. These are fairly large stout black salamanders with wide silver or white bands. The marbled salamander is a stocky boldly banded salamander.

Like most mole salamanders it is relatively thick bodied. Red backed salamander occurrence map. Marbled salamanders are distributed across the eastern us from new hampshire to northern florida and west to lake michigan in the north and texas in the south 1. The bands of females tend to be gray while those of males are more white.

The background color is rich black and becomes a light bluish black on the lower sides. Marbled salamander occurrence map. Marbled salamanders are part of the mole salamander family which is a group of salamanders endemic to north america and the only genus in the family ambystomatidae. Small stout bodied species.

At 4 5 inches long it is shorter than its relatives but proportionately chunkier plump. Small mouthed salamander occurrence map. The marbled salamander is a relatively common resident throughout north carolina. Adults can grow to about 11 cm 4 in small compared to other members of its genus.

Description marbled salamanders grow to about 3 5 4 25 in 9 10 7 cm in size and are stout bodiedand chubby in appearance. The upper body pattern is made up of white to light grey crossbands that run across the head body and tail. This species is sexually dimorphic males tend. They can be identified by their black dark brown body including its venter with light white silvery crossbandson the dorsum.

The bands often run together or are interrupted and broadest on the sides of the body. The species generally inhabits deciduous forest and prairie and is absent from much of the appalachian mountains 1 2. The marbled salamander is listed as a threatened species in michigan.