This week, I finally got to check off a life list item: see spotted salamanders in their annual breeding frenzy. For years, I have gone out either too early or too late and/or had this pesky thing called ‘work’ derail my plans. When I saw the predicted forecast of a warm, rainy night, I jumped at the opportunity despite a long work day.

Spotted salamanders are marvels of nature. They are part of the mole salamander family (Ambystomatidae) and are the most common salamander in this family in Maryland. Like other mole salamanders, spotted salamanders spend much of their time underground. However, when the time is right (aka rainy spring nights!), they will come to the surface and embark on their annual migration to their breeding habitats.

A spotted salamander by Kerry Wixted

In one night, you might have the good fortune to see hundreds or even thousands of these salamanders! The males will do a little dance in the water which includes rubbing, bumping, and nosing potential mates. They will then deposit a spermatophore (packet of sperm). Interested females will then pick up the spermatophores to store in their spermathecae. When ready to lay, the female will use the stored sperm to fertilize the eggs before depositing them somewhere she deems safe. The gelatinous mass of eggs can be clear or opaque in color. The coloration of the egg mass seems to be due to evolutionary forces like genetic drift and/or balancing selection.

These chunky salamanders can live 20-30 years. They also have a special relationship with algae (Chlorococcum amblystomatis to be exact) that either lives within the egg capsules (ectopic) or infects the salamander cells. Until recently, it was believed only the eggs had the algae symbiosis, and those ectopic algae benefitted from nitrogenous waste from the developing salamander while it exchanged oxygen and carbohydrates (sugar). However, researchers have found the algae that infects the cells stays with the salamanders through adulthood, making them the only known photosynthetic vertebrates. Interestingly enough, the algae that infects the salamander cells has “stressful” life, suffering oxygen and sulfur deprivation. So, why do the algae deal with a less than ideal life? We’re not sure.

A spotted salamander with an opaque egg mass in Baltimore County by Kerry Wixted

While still common, spotted salamanders have declined in some areas of the State. Habitat loss and degradation are two of the largest threats to spotted salamanders. Due to their propensity to breed late winter/early spring, they also are more likely to deal with road salt impacts than later breeding species. Furthermore, diseases are a large concern for our salamander populations, in general. Please remember to disinfect your gear before heading out and between sites, so we can continue to enjoy these sites for years to come. Another thing to consider is not holding salamanders (or other herps) unless necessary. It has been hard unlearning my usual tactics of grabbing herps, but now that I know more just how sensitive their skin is, I can’t in good faith continue to do so. Check out the video below from Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation on how to reduce the spread of disease.