Species known to be present on the Helena National Forest 



Long-toed Salamander {Ambystoma macrodactyhim) 



Description: Adults are dart: gray to black with an irregular (and sometimes broken) green to 

 yellow stripe down the middle of the back. Adult snout-vent length varies from 2 to 3.25". 

 All salamanders have smooth moist skin without scales. 



Eggs and Larvae: Egg masses are typically laid in small clusters of 5-100 eggs but may be 

 laid singly (Nussbaum et al. 1983); egg masses are typically attached to underwater 

 vegetation or submerged branches. Within the clear gelatinous eggs, the embryos are 

 somewhat light-colored, while frog and toad embr>'os are dark (e.xcept in Tailed Frogs). 

 Larval Long-toed Salamanders are typically brown- or gray-colored, are found in ponds, have 

 tliree external gills, and are relatively small (<1.75" snout-vent) and slender. They are 

 distinguished from Tiger Salamander larvae by the 9-13 gill rakers on the inside of the 3rd 

 gill arch (17-22 rakers on the Tiger Salamander); they are also smaller and lack the large head 

 and mouth. 



Similar species: Adult Long-toed Salamanders can be distinguished from Coeur d'Alene 



Salamanders by the longest toe on the hind foot which is longer than the sole and a yellow 

 tliroat patch. Long-toed Salamanders lack a groove running vertically from nostril to mouth. 



Habitat and Habits: Long-toed Salamanders are found in a wide variety of habitats from 

 sagebrush to nearly alpine. They breed in ponds or lakes (very rarely in slow moving 

 streams), usually those without fish present; on the HNF they were found in temporary and 

 permanent ponds/lakes and inactive beaver ponds. Adults go to the breeding ponds 

 immediately after snow-melt and are usually the earliest breeding amphibians in western 

 Montana. In the Pacific Northwest, eggs hatch in 3-6 weeks and metamorphosis occurs after 

 2-14 months (Nussbaum e/o/. 1983, Leonard e/o/. 1993). Long-toed Salamanders were 

 found in 14 locations on the HNF. The earliest surveys on 15-25 May 1995 found only egg 

 masses, from newly laid to nearly ready to hatch. July surveys found primarily small larva, 

 however, a pond near the head of Austin Creek had 2 small larva and 1 juvenile which 

 appeared nearly fully transformed; this would indicate at least some larva overwinter and 

 transfonn when over a year old. At an o.xbow on the Blackfoot River a single transforming 

 juvenile war found on 25 August, showing transformation may take only one season at lower 

 elevation sites. Individuals were found in the Rocky Mountains and the Elkhorn Mountains 

 from 4350 - 7050 ft. elevation. Spotted Frogs co-occurred at all sites and Western Toads at 2 

 sites. 



Surveying: Larvae can readily be seen in ponds during the day and sampled with a dipnet; egg 

 masses are somewhat harder to see. During the breeding season, adults may also be seen in 

 the water, particularly during night surveys. During the rest of the spring, summer and fall, 

 adults may occasionally be found in and under logs on the forest floor. Metamorphosed 

 individuals are active at night, particularly when it is wann and rainy; they may be captured at 

 tlais time by either night searches or pitfall traps. 



Status: The Long-toed Salamander is the most common salamander in western Montana. The 

 Long-toed Salamander is also common on the HNF in the Rocky Mountains. The Long-toed 

 Salamander is also found in the northwestern part of the Elklioms, the farthest east reported 



