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Ambystoma tigrinum
 Our Ambassador
Purchased from legal source in fall 2009.
Habitat
Forests, grasslands, and marshy areas. Tiger Salamanders like to burrow in moist soil or utilize burrows of other animals. Prefer areas near permanent water.
Size
6 - 13.5 inches
Appearance
Stout, thick body, and broad head. Coloration is dark with random yellow, tan or olive marbling. Small eyes; always wears a smile.
Eating Habits
Worms, snails, insects, slugs, small mice, and amphibians. Likes to stalk prey.
Reproduction
100 - 1000 eggs in late winter and early spring. Eggs are attached to debris in fishless ponds, lakes, streams or temporary pools. Hatching larvae are about half an inch long and go through metamorphosis in water in June through August when they are about 4 inches long. After metamorphosis, Tiger Salamanders are terrestrial.
Life Span
15 years in wild; 25 years in captivity
Interesting Facts
- Largest terrestrial salamander in the world.
- Some Tiger Salamander burrows have been found up to 2 feet underground.
- During courtship, a male tiger salamander sometimes impersonates a female in order to sneak in and deposit his spermatophore on top of a rival male's.
Resources
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