JEFFERSON SALAMANDER

By. Ryan

Jefferson Salamander

Description Long and slender shape Grayish brown-dark brown underside in color Elongated limbs and toes Pale bluish in color Male salamander is about 4.4- 7.8 in inches Female salamander is about 5.1- 7.8 in inches Spots are small

Jefferson Salamander

Food Presumed to eat earthworms because people

can’t see what they eat Other invertebrates

Jefferson Salamander

Habitat Upland forests Well drained deciduous or mixed forests 250 – 1600 meters of a small pool or pond Surrounded by alder, red marble, buttonbush,

and dogwood Hides beneath leaf, litter, loose soil, stones, in

rotten logs, rodent burrows, or subterrean burrows

Vernal Pools are important for

breeding

Jefferson Salamander

Location Western Massachusetts Southern New York Pennsylvania Ohio Indiana Kentucky Virginia

Jefferson Salamander

Endangered Vernal pools and breeding ponds drained, and

filled Development Road and lawn runoff Vernal pools dries summer months

Jefferson Salamander

How can we help Laws should be made to protect the Jefferson

Salamander’s habitat Clean up any litter or lawn runoff in or near

the vernal pools

Jefferson Salamander

Interesting Facts Produce noxious skin secretion from

specialized poison glands in their tail and are rarely preyed upon by native predators

More females than males Can’t live without vernal pools