AMPHIBIANS 



Fig. 290. — I, Adult tiger salamander, Amby- 

 stoma tigrinum; 2, axolotl or larva which matures 

 without transforming (axolotl found only in south- 

 western United States). 



bars, except on the under surfaces, which are plain gray (Fig. 

 290, i). These yellow spots and their yellow chins distinguish 

 them from the marbled salamander, Amhystoma opacum. 



Habits, habitat, food. — The fully transformed adults hide 

 beneath stones and logs near ponds or in moist places where 

 they forage for worms and ground insects during the night 

 or in rainy weather. The larvae live in cold, spring-fed ponds. 



Breeding habits. — Their breeding habits are much like those 

 of the spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, and the 

 egg masses are very similar (Fig. 289). 



Life history. — All tiger salamanders start life as typical 

 salamander larvae, breathing by gills and growing like other 

 aquatic salamanders. In many regions, especially our north- 



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