Alaska is a large state that boasts an incredible diversity of habitats: extensive coastline, mountains, tundra, forests, glaciers, and lakes play host to an enormous amount of life. It is estimated that over 43% of Alaska consists of wetlands bordering its extensive river system. Despite this, just three species of salamander and newt are found here, likely due to the cold temperatures, lack of rainfall, and frequent winter blizzards.
Considered to have an Arctic climate, Alaska’s winters are very long, and its summers are very short – so organisms residing here must be resilient and have adaptations enabling them to survive in potentially harsh conditions.
This article includes descriptions of both salamanders and newts in Alaska. To learn more about the differences between these two groups of animals, check out our article Salamanders vs Newts: What’s the Difference?
Alaska Salamanders
1) Rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa)
- Native to the Pacific Coast from the Alaska Panhandle to California
- Family: Salamandridae
- Order: Urodela
- Conservation status: Least concern
Rough-skinned newts vary in length from 10.9 – 22 cm (4.3 – 8.7 in). The terrestrial adult form has brown, glandular skin with a bright orange belly and occupies forest or grassland habitat, while the aquatic juveniles are paler in color, have large external gills, and are found in wetlands, where they hide in the soft sediment. Adults consume spiders, worms, and insects, while juveniles feed on aquatic invertebrates and zooplankton.
In Alaska, rough-skinned newts are confined to the southeast, extending as far north as Juneau. They have also been found on several islands such as Shelter Island, Rockwell Island, and Bamdoroshni Island, although some of these occurrences may be due to human-led introductions.
This species produces a toxin via glands in its skin, an effective antipredator strategy. Garter snakes, a major predator of the rough-skinned newt, are resistant to this toxin and thus can consume the amphibians, while many other animals cannot. Another antipredator response in the rough-skinned newt is the Unkenreflex, where an individual arches its back and holds its head and tail up to reveal the warning signal of bright orange-colored skin underneath.
During breeding season, adult rough-skinned newts migrate to water, where they engage in an extensive courtship routine that can last for up to an hour. The female lays her eggs, which contain a toxic substance, around two or three weeks later. She scatters them around to decrease their chances of being eaten, and after three to four weeks in the water, they hatch.
2) Long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum)
- Native to the Pacific Northwest
- Family: Ambystomatidae
- Order: Urodela
- Conservation status: Least concern
Long-toed salamanders reach lengths of 4 – 9 cm (1.6 – 3.5 in), and are dark brown in color, with a broken yellow strip running dorsally from the back of the head to the tip of the tail, while their underside is flecked with white. This species’ name arises from the longer fourth toe present on its hind feet.
Ambystoma macrodactylum shows great flexibility in its choice of habitat, occupying deserts, meadows, forests, and rocky shores of lakes, although they do prefer to be close to a water source and have access to vegetation. Individuals consume a diet of tadpoles, fish, worms, and beetles.
The long-toed salamander shows a great degree of plasticity in its reproduction, allowing it to thrive in several different habitats. For example, populations at lower elevations breed earlier in the year, whereas those at higher elevations tend to wait until midsummer before reproducing. Eggs are laid in water, and either sink to the bottom or adhere to aquatic vegetation. Juveniles undergo metamorphosis fairly early on in their lives, usually during the first summer or overwinter for those at higher elevations.
Although there are no immediate concerns surrounding the conservation status of the long-toed salamander, some threats to populations are present in Alaska – mainly in the form of habitat loss. Destruction of wetlands, habitat fragmentation, and the construction of roads are all factors that could influence the decline of this species.
3) Northwestern salamander (Ambystoma gracile)
- Native to the Pacific Coast of North America
- Family: Ambystomatidae
- Order: Urodela
- Conservation status: Least concern
The northwestern salamander reaches 7 – 13 cm (2.8 – 5.1 in) in length and is characterized by a very rounded head shape, with large parotid glands situated just behind the eyes – these are a concentration of granular glands, that produce an irritating toxin to aid in deterring predators. Typically gray, brown, or black in color, the sides have prominent vertical ridges along them and the back may be speckled with cream or yellow.
In Alaska, the range of the northwestern salamander is confined to the southeast, although very little is known about its distribution in this state. Populations have been reported as far north as Glacier Bay, and have also been recorded on May Island and Chichagof Island. This species’ preferred habitat is mesic forest with permanent wetlands or ponds nearby, which they travel to during breeding season.
Breeding takes place between January and March, although may occur later at higher elevations. Once eggs are laid, embryos take one to two months to develop, and larvae consume a diet of zooplankton and invertebrates. Once larvae are two years old, they may undergo metamorphosis, although depending on environmental conditions, many individuals remain aquatic. Adults consume a diet of terrestrial insects, spiders, and worms.
Populations of northwestern salamanders are secure, however alterations to their breeding habitat, such as draining of wetlands, land conversion, and introduction of non-native fish species may cause declines.
