Blue-Spotted Salamander |
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Two recently metamorphosed Ambystoma salamanders are shown next to one another. Both of these salamanders emigrated from the same pond on the same day. The larger individual is a tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum), while the smaller individual is a blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale). |
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Closer views of the recently metamorphosed tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum), viewed from two different sides of its body. The right front limb of this animal has developed normally (top photo), but there is a problem with the left front limb (bottom photo). The left front limb may have been eaten by a predator when this salamander was still a larva. This could have been done by a variety of aquatic predators including predaceous diving beetles, giant water bugs and even other salamander larvae. Tiger salamander larvae are capable of regenerating toes and even limbs. Small numbs can be seen on the side of the salamanders' heads. These are the remains of the external gills found on salamander larvae. |
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 @BenardMF
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All text and photographs © Michael F. Benard |
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