Salamander Species in Colorado (ID + Pics)

Colorado has a very diverse landscape and attracts lots of people for recreational activities such as hiking, skiing, or camping. As well as its towering mountains, it is home to the Great Plains – which might be very flat, but exist at a high elevation.

Farming and ranching are important industries in Colorado, followed closely by tourism – all activities which can impact the wildlife residing there. There is just one species of salamander known to exist in this state: the western tiger salamander. This is the state amphibian and is found more in the eastern regions.

Colorado Salamanders

1) Western tiger salamander (Ambystoma mavortium)

• Native to southwestern Canada, the western US, and northern Mexico
• Family: Ambystomatidae
• Order: Urodela
• Conservation status: Least concern

Also known as the barred tiger salamander, this species is dark brown or black in color, with distinctive tan or yellow bars of color (often broken) extending over the back and down the sides – the thickness of these bars varies depending on geographical location. This species is thickset, with a broad head and short tail, and can attain lengths of up to 36 cm (14 in).

The western tiger salamander is adaptable in terms of habitat, being found in coniferous or deciduous forests, open fields, deserts, grasslands, or streams. Being a member of Ambystoma, individuals spend much of their time hiding in the burrows of small mammals, although they will construct their own when needed. Adults feed on a variety of invertebrates, but will also tackle small vertebrates such as rodents.

Larval western tiger salamanders feed on aquatic invertebrates, however, some morphs are cannibalistic. These morphs have different anatomy, with larger teeth, and research has found that they will predate on minnows as well as conspecifics. As well as being predators, the larvae are prey animals: a study found that tail shape correlated with the ability of the larvae to accelerate away from a potential threat, thus influencing their chances of survival.

Although this species’ conservation status is that of least concern, it may still be threatened in some areas due to habitat loss, mainly in the form of the destruction of wetlands and deforestation. Acidification of water bodies can also present a problem for some populations.