Species Present on the Kootenai National Forest 



Long-toed Salamander (Ambystoma macro dactylum) 



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

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

 All salamanders have smooth moist skin without scales. Adult long-toed salamanders can be 

 told from other Montana species by a combination of: 1) the longest toe on the hind foot 

 which is longer than the sole of the hind foot; 2) lack of a nasolabial groove running 

 vertically from nostril to mouth; and 3) 12-13 costal grooves on side of body. Egg masses 

 are typically laid in small clusters of 5-100 eggs but may be laid singly (Nussbaum et al. 

 1983). Within the clear gelatinous eggs, the embryos are light colored, while frog and toad 

 embryos are dark. Larval long-toed salamanders are typically brown colored, found in 

 ponds, have three 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). 



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

 sagebrush to alpine. They breed in ponds or lakes, often in those without fish present. 

 Adults migrate to the breeding ponds immediately after snow-melt and are usually the 

 earliest breeding amphibians in western Montana. The earliest observation of egg masses in 

 the KNF in 1994 was 28 April in ponds near Bull Lake, although the eggs were at least 10 

 days old by that date; eggs were seen as late as 25 May 93 at Frog Lake. Newly hatched 

 larvae were observed 28 April 94 in ponds at Bull Lake, and as late as 8 September 94 at 

 Cody Lakes. Very small larvae seen in Grouse Lake on 1 August 1993 indicate at least some 

 populations of Long-toed salamanders on the KNF may take over a year to transform. In the 

 Pacific Northwest eggs hatch in 3-6 weeks and metamorphosis takes 2-14 months (Nussbaum 

 et al. 1983, Leonard et al. 1993). Individuals were found in all of the Forest districts from 

 2350 - 5350 ft. elevation. They occurred commonly with the Spotted frog in ponds, lakes, or 

 backwaters of streams, although sometimes they were the only amphibian inhabiting a pond. 



Surveying: Larvae can be seen in ponds during the day and sampled with a dipnet. During the 

 breeding season adults may also be seen in the water. 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 warm and rainy; they 

 may be captured at this time by either night searches or pitfall traps. 



Status: The most common salamander in western Montana. Appears common and wide-spread 

 in suitable habitat on the KNF and elsewhere in western Montana. 



Montana Natural Heritage Program rank: G5 S5. 



