Yellow Spotted Salamander

March 21, 2026

This afternoon’s potato planting brought about quite a surprise, a Yellow Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum). A Salamander that is not often seen since they generally are under logs, in leaf litter, or in underground burrows created by other animals. They are usually near a vernal pool, which they migrate to once a year in early spring for mating.

These Spotted Salamanders eat Centipedes and Millipedes, Spiders, Snails, Slugs, Earthworms, and various Insects. They have a high mortality rate as larvae, but once they reach their adult stage they can live 20 to 30 years in the wild.

Hmm, wonder where it went to.

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Published by

Brenda Clements Jones

Brenda is a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, a Habitat Defender for Shenandoah National Park, and a devoted fan of Mother Nature. She lives in a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Shenandoah National Park, and hikes up to the higher elevations of her mountain often to see what nature is up to. Her constant hiking companion is a camera that captures nature as it unfolds through the seasons. It’s her goal to share the natural world around her through her photographs.

2 thoughts on “Yellow Spotted Salamander”

    1. Hi Doreen! I was so delighted to see this critter, about 10 inches long. We’ve seen a few other Salamanders here but not this species. Isn’t nature COOL!!

      Sending hugs to you and Butch!
      Brenda

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