Salamanders in Colorado

There are only two Salamanders in Colorado, one of which is the tiger salamander. Both the eastern tiger salamander and the western tiger salamander are endemic to Colorado.

The eastern tiger salamander is also known simply as the tiger salamander. This is one of the amphibians commonly kept as pets. The colorful and vibrant colors of the species make them popular.

The western salamander is less common in colorado but is still easy to find. This species is also known as the barred tiger salamander and the blotched tiger salamander.

These amphibians are solitary and as such prefers to be left alone. Even when kept as pets, you shouldn’t handle or pick them up often as this can easily injure the amphibian.

Salamanders in Colorado

1. Eastern Tiger Salamander

• Family: Ambystomatidae
• Binomial Name: Ambystoma tigrinum
• Other Common Name: Tiger salamander
• Average Adult Length: 6.7 to 13 inches (17 to 33cm)
• Lifespan:  12 to 15 years
• Population Trend: Stable
• Conservation Statuses: Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, S2 (Secure)

A. tigrinum is one of two salamanders endemic to Colorado. This species can be found in the eastern United States and Manitoba and Ontario in Canada. The geographic range of A. tigrinum starts from southeastern Alaska to southern Labrador to the east. To the south, the range extends to the southern edge of the Mexican plateau.

In Colorado, the species can be found in the mountains of western Colorado. Here the species inhabits low alkalinity ponds with silty bottoms and no fish.

This is a thick-bodied amphibian. This species has dark skin with yellow markings such as spots, stripes, or blotches. There are morphs with green or tan markings. The species is known as the tiger salamander because of these patterns.

The species is moderately sized with a length of 7 to 13 inches and an average weight of about 9 grams or 0.33 oz.

A. tigrinum is a terrestrial amphibian once it has metamorphosed. It inhabits marshy areas, grasslands, and forested areas. Unlike most Ambystomatidae, A. tigrinum is less dependent on forested areas. As long as the amphibian can burrow into the earth or use the burrows of other animals, it can thrive. They burrow in the soil to find moisture as the species require high humidity levels to thrive.

The species also requires access to a permanent waterbody to breed.

The species have a lifespan of about 10 years in captivity and can live to 25 years. In the wild, these amphibians have a normal maximum lifespan of 16 years.

This amphibian is carnivorous and feeds on baby snakes, pinkie mice, frogs, and other salamanders in captivity. In the wild, they generally ate slugs, worms, insects, and snails.

2. Western Tiger Salamander

• Family: Ambystomatidae
• Binomial Name: Ambystoma mavortium
• Other Common Names: Barred Tiger Salamander, Blotched tiger salamander
• Average Adult Length: 6 to 14 inches (15 to 35.6 cm)
• Lifespan:  12 to 15 years
• Population Trend: Stable
• Conservation Statuses: Least Concern on IUCN Red List, S3S4 (Vulnerable)

While the eastern tiger salamander is more common in the eastern United States, the western tiger salamander is more common in the western United States.

In Colorado, the western tiger salamander is less common. This species is considered to be vulnerable based on data collected by Colorado Natural Heritage Program and provided by Nature Serve.

The species is endemic to the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Here the species are readily available and are easy to come across. Ponds can have thousands of Ambystoma mavortium larvae.

In Canada, the species’ geographic range includes British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. In the United States, the species is endemic to Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, Minnesota, Colorado, Navajo Nation, Arizona, Washington, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoman, North Dakota, Utah, South Dakota, Texas, and California. In Mexico, the species is endemic to Chihuahua, Coahuila, And Sonora.

In places such as Gunnison County, the absence of fish is the most important factor when it comes to the availability of xx in the area. For instance, trouts prey on the larvae in ponds they both are situated in.

As such even in the Rocky Mountain National Park, you would be hard-pressed to find xx and trout coexisting in the same water bodies.

For trouts and xx to occur together certain conditions must exist. An example of this is the presence of vegetated shallows which aren’t easily accessible to trouts.

The species is adaptable to different environments. This trait is similar to that of the eastern tiger salamander. The species can live in deserted areas, arid areas, alpine and sub-alpine areas, woodlands, deciduous  & coniferous forests, aspen parkland, open prairies, and grass prairies.

In the wild, the species have a lifespan of 2 to 3 years. As pets, they have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years.

The species is carnivorous and feed on crickets, worths, beetles, frogs, and larvae.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The tiger salamander is the only salamander endemic to Colorado. Interestingly both tiger salamander species are endemic to Colorado. The two species include  Ambystoma tigrinum – commonly known as the eastern tiger salamander and Ambystoma mavortium– known as the western tiger salamander.

Ambystoma tigrinum is more prevalent in eastern North America and is also more prevalent in colorado. Ambystoma mavortium is more prevalent in the Pacific Northwest. Both species can be found in considerable numbers in colorado.

Both these salamanders also make excellent pets. They are relatively easy to find and relatively easy to care for. As with any salamander, you should only pick up or handle the amphibian only when absolutely necessary. These solitary creatures prefer no human contact.

Other nearby states

• Salamanders in Kansas
• Salamanders in New Mexico
• Salamanders in Oklahoma
• Salamanders in Utah