Western Tiger Salamander/Barred Tiger Salamander

Ambystoma mavortium

Meet Lucy. She is a Western Tiger Salamander who lives in my mom’s pond in Colorado Springs. I have only seen just a peek of her head once before when she came up for air, probably because they are usually nocturnal, but today, she was out in full view. It might be because Lucy is going to be a mother. She has laid eggs in the pond (see photo below).

I first heard about Lucy when my mom called me and said my step-dad had seen a giant lizard in the pond. I thought that was highly unlikely and thought it was probably a salamander. When they finally snapped a photo of Lucy’s face, I confirmed my suspicions.

I saw Western Tiger Salamanders on rare occasions while hiking in Southern California, too. Turns out, they are native all over the western United States and Southern Canada. As amphibians, they require water to lay their eggs, but the adults are found in a variety of habitats, from forests to open grasslands.

I hope I get to see the babies hatch. When the babies hatch, they are called larvae, but look similar to frog tadpoles. It will take four to six months until they metamorphose into sub adults during which time they develop lungs and an additional two to three months until they can leave the pond and be fully terrestrial. Western Tiger Salamanders don’t reach breeding maturity until they are four and a half!

You should never pick up a Salamander. Not only can amphibians breathe and absorb any chemicals on your hands through their skin, they also secrete toxins. Their bright coloration lets potential predators know they are poisonous and would not be an appetizing snack.

I’m a little sad I won’t be around to see Lucy’s children grow up since I will soon be moving out of state. I’m hoping my mom sends me pictures of all my Salamander nieces and nephews.

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