<<Back to Northwest HerpsThe Mole Salamander is one of the smaller members of the family Ambystomatidae, attaining lengths around 4 inches. The general coloration varies from a dark brown to black background color with white, gray, or silver flecking. They are a burrowing salamander and are found primarily in lowlands and valleys lowland areas where the ground is moist making it suitable for burrowing. Because of their burrowing habits they are rarely seen outside of the breeding season.
They breed from Dec. to Feb.(during the winter along the coastal plain, late winter/early spring in the colder areas of their range), in shallow ponds and flooded depressions, usually after heavy rains. Females can lay a few hundred eggs, but they are laid in small clusters of about 20. Neoteny, when larvae become sexually mature but do not metamorphose and leave the pond, is not uncommon in this species.
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Size: About 4" in Length
Regions: Coastal - California, Oregon, Washington, and Southeast Alaska
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