Tiger Salamander
Ambystoma tigrinum
Quick answer
The tiger salamander is one of the largest land-dwelling salamanders in North America, named for the yellow blotches that stripe its dark body. It spends much of its life underground in burrows and returns to ponds to breed. Tiger salamanders can live 10 to 16 years.
Tiger Salamander facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Ambystoma tigrinum |
|---|---|
| Diet | Carnivore (worms, insects, small animals) |
| Habitat | Grassland, woodland, and farmland with ponds |
| Lifespan | 10–16 years |
| Weight | About 0.13 kg (4.6 oz) |
| Size | 15–30 cm (6–12 in) body length |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Amphibia |
| Order | Urodela |
| Family | Ambystomatidae |
| Genus | Ambystoma |
Where it lives
Grasslands, woodlands, and farmland across North America, from southern Canada through the United States into Mexico.
Behavior and life underground
Tiger salamanders are powerful diggers that spend most of the year in burrows, sometimes more than half a meter deep, which protects them from heat, cold, and drought. They are largely nocturnal and emerge on rainy nights. Adults migrate to breeding ponds in early spring, often during the first warm rains.
Diet and feeding
They are voracious carnivores that eat earthworms, insects, slugs, and other invertebrates, and large adults may take small frogs, baby mice, or even smaller salamanders. Larvae are aquatic predators that feed on tiny invertebrates and, in crowded ponds, sometimes other larvae. Their broad diet helps them grow quickly.
Habitat and range
The tiger salamander ranges widely across North America, from southern Canada through much of the United States into Mexico. It favors grasslands, woodlands, and farmland with access to fishless ponds for breeding. Because it relies on temporary pools, it is sensitive to changes in water and soil.
Conservation
Overall the species is listed as Least Concern, but some local populations are declining from habitat loss, road mortality, and pollution. Certain regional subspecies are more threatened and receive special protection. Maintaining clean breeding ponds and connected habitat is key to its future.
Frequently asked questions about the Tiger Salamander
How big do tiger salamanders get?
Tiger salamanders typically reach 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 in) in length, making them one of the largest land-dwelling salamanders in North America.
What do tiger salamanders eat?
They are carnivores that eat earthworms, insects, and slugs, and large adults may even take small frogs, baby mice, or smaller salamanders.
Where do tiger salamanders live?
They live across much of North America in grasslands, woodlands, and farmland, spending most of their time in burrows and returning to ponds to breed.
How long do tiger salamanders live?
Tiger salamanders can live about 10 to 16 years, and well-cared-for individuals in captivity sometimes live longer.
Are tiger salamanders good pets?
They are sometimes kept as pets and can be hardy, but they need a cool, humid enclosure with deep substrate for burrowing. Wild populations should never be collected, and captive-bred animals are the responsible choice.
