Natural History
LIFE
Eastern tiger salamanders are large amphibians that are roughly 6-8 inches in length, with some exceeding 12 inches, by adulthood. These animals are seen with a wide range of color and patterns, spanning from green to black, with spots, blotches, and stripes of yellow. Their legs are short and stocky, with stout bodies that are adept at digging through forest soils. Once tiger salamanders reach maturity, they will travel long distances to return to the body of water they were born to breed. Adult male salamanders deposit spermatophores onto the bottom of the body of water. He then nudges potential mates towards the spermatophore. If the female accepts, she will use the sperm packet to fertilize her eggs, which she lays on submerged vegetation. The eggs will then hatch into larvae with external gills emerging from behind their head. The larval stage varies depending on environmental factors. Certain tiger salamander populations can even remain in the larval stage and become sexually mature without metamorphosing. In captivity, tiger salamanders can reach up to 25 years of age, while wild salamanders reach approximately 10 years of age.

HABITAT AND RANGE
The eastern salamander can be found throughout the entire state of Iowa. Tiger salamanders are terrestrial amphibians that tend to burrow in moist soil. However, they are less dependent on moist soil than other salamander species. They enjoy loose soil to dig in, as well as access to a standing body of water for breeding. They can also be found in forests, meadows, prairies, and sometimes gardens and yards.

DIET
Tiger salamanders are predators throughout their life cycle. In the larvae stage, they eat aquatic insects, tadpoles, small crustaceans, and even other salamander larvae. Adult tiger salamanders are able to eat larger prey, like insects, worms, and occasionally small vertebrates such as frogs and mice.

CONSERVATION STATUS
The tiger salamander is listed as a species of least concern, although populations have been affected in areas by deforestation, acid rain — due to their sensitive skin, and traffic (Roth, 2018).

SOURCE: LeClere, J. (2020). Eastern Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum). Retrieved August 9, 2020, from http://www.herpnet.net/IowaHerpetology/amphibians/salamanders-2/eastern-tigersalamander/Roth, K. (2020, May 05). Tiger salamander fun facts. Retrieved August 9, 2020, from
https://dickinsoncountyconservationboard.com/2018/09/13/tigersalamander-fun-facts/

The Sally Squad's Story
Hartman Reserve’s Tiger Salamanders were rescued by
two of our park rangers while digging up a storm drain
in the spring of 2018. The age and sex of these
salamanders are unknown. They are outstanding
animal ambassadors because they teach our visitors
about the natural environment and the surprisingly
unique wildlife found around Iowa.