Ringed Salamander
Ambystoma annulatum
- Class
- Amphibian
- Rarity
- Common
- Observations
- 419
- Most observed in
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Conservation
- Least Concern
Description
The ringed salamander (Ambystoma annulatum) is a species of mole salamander native to hardwood and mixed hardwood-pine forested areas in and around the Ozark Plateau and Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. This species of salamander has slender body, small head, and long tail. They are usually found to have various dorsal color from dark gray to dark brown. Various close relatives are found such as marbled salamander (A. opacum) and spotted salamander (A. maculatum). This species of salamander has cannibal behavior especially those in large body size. It is found in damp, forested areas, usually under leaves, rotting logs, or in abandoned ground holes of other organisms, near shallow ponds. Highly fossorial (adapted to digging), adults are often found in subterranean refuges. This salamander is increasingly rare and perhaps endangered. This is likely a result of its restricted range and specific breeding habit needs. The world population is thought to be around 100,000 animals. Its conservation status is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN. This salamander can perform embryotic learning and social-facilitated learning.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Ringed salamander”.