Herpetofauna: One Life's List

Ambystoma maculatum
Spotted Salamander

Mingo Swamp, Missouri
Spring 1984

Top right is a specimen from Mingo Swamp in southeastern Missouri; bottom right is a Spottie from Union Co., Illinois.  In the spring they are usually found under logs along the edge of vernal pools, the temporary ponds formed from spring rains.

Over the years, when finding Spotties under logs I've noticed there often is a hole offering an escape route. Sometimes they are crayfish burrows, others appear to be rodent tunnels. Often these salamanders are quick to duck into the hole. I do not know if maculatum constructs its own escape tunnels.