Larval Amphibians - Salamanders

Four-toed Salamander

• Larvae length 17-25mm
• Head is heavily pigmented with brown or black spots; broken band on side of head through eye often to gills
• Greenish-brown; transparent greenish tail fin with lighter dots
• Dorsal tail fin extends onto back almost to neck; ventral tail fin surrounds vent
• Posterior gill largest; costal grooves present
• Digits: 4 front and 4 hind (only other salamander with this number is Mudpuppy-all others have 4 front, 5 hind)
• Eggs: 15-60 laid in terrestrial depressions or cavities within a clump of moss or leaves along the edge of open pools; female broods the eggs and developing embryos; bacteria on skin produce antibiotics that protect eggs and developing embryos from fungus
• Habitat: found in sphagnum bogs or woodland ponds

Learn about my adult form