Tiger Salamanders - Grumps & Shorty

Eastern Tiger Salamanders are the largest terrestrial salamander species found in North America. Adults range from 7-8.5 inches long, but some individuals have been recorded at 13 inches long. They have a round head with broad snout and thick bodies with yellow or tan blotches covering their dark skin, these blotches and overall color will fade with age. They can be found from southern Alaska to eastern Canada and throughout the United States down into Mexico. Their lifespan ranges from 10-16 years. They eat a variety of animals including worms, snails, insects and insect larvae, tadpoles, and slugs.

Eastern Tiger Salamanders are technically a species of mole salamander, meaning they dig burrows and live underground most of the year; they only leave their burrows during mating season which is generally in early spring. These salamanders will return to the pond or ephemeral pool which they were spawned from for breeding and egg laying. Sometimes they are forced from their burrows during floods where waters will wash them out of their homes. Occasionally they can also be found in wet basements or well cavities in the spring and fall.

Salamanders go through complete metamorphosis meaning their body goes through a complete change from juvenile to adult. After hatching they are larvae and have to live in water until they reach adulthood at around 6 weeks, getting oxygen through the water with their gills. When they are ready to become an adult they shed their baby skin and metamorphose into their adult form with lungs.

Gramps and Shorty are Sarett Nature Center’s resident Eastern Tiger Salamanders, having lived here for many years. You can tell they are older because their once bright yellowish spots have faded to a beige color, but don’t let the age fool you as they are still very active and enjoy their feeding days. If one of them gets over excited when they see a bug coming, they might even do a backflip off their tail! They burrow in the moist substrate, especially under the water dishes where it stays nice and dark. Naturalists normally have to move these water pans so visitors can see the amazing creatures, but once in a while they will crawl out on their own.