Amphibians and reptiles known to be present on the Rocky Mountain Front Oil and Gas 

 Leasing Study Area 



Tiger Salamander {Ambystoma tigrinum) 



Description: Adults have a smooth moist skin without scales and the color pattern is highly 

 variable; usually the background color is dark, with lighter blotches of yellow, tan or green. 

 The adult is large and heavy-bodied with a snout-vent length of 3-6". 

 Eggs and Larvae: Egg masses are typically laid in small clusters of 5-120, but may be laid 

 singly (Nussbaum at al. 1983, Leonard at al. 1993). They are usually attached to vegetation 

 and placed 2"- 10" below the surface of the water (Hammerson 1982a). Larval Tiger 

 Salamanders are typically pale green or brown-colored, though some are nearly white in 

 bentonite clay ponds. They are found in lakes and ponds, have external gills, and are 

 relatively large (0.75-4" snout-vent) and heavy-bodied. 



Similar species: Very small larval Tiger Salamanders may be confused with Long-toed 



Salamanders, however Tiger Salamander larva have short, broad, blunt toes, while Long-toed 

 Salamanders have long, thin, pointed toes. 



Habitat and Habits: In the study area. Tiger salamanders were found in two ponds. In one, a 

 single adult was captured and in the other, large larvae were found on 29 May 96; it seems 

 likely that they overwintered in the pond. Both ponds were in somewhat open timber. Tiger 

 Salamanders are primarily associated with prairie or agricultural habitats in eastern Montana. 

 They breed in ponds or lakes, usually those without fish present. In arid areas they may also 

 be found in springs, intermittent streams, and stock ponds. In Blue Lake, Madison County, 

 Montana, eggs are laid from early June to mid-August, hatched in about 2 weeks, and 

 metamorphosed after more than a year (Micken 1968, 1971). In Colorado and Wyoming egg 

 laying takes place from mid-March to mid-August (Hammerson 1 982a, Baxter and Stone 

 1985). Eggs hatch in 2-5 weeks in Colorado and metamorphosis occurs after 2-24 months 

 (Hammerson 1982a). Following breeding, adults may remain in the pond or may move to 

 upland areas and live in burrows of their own or in those of other animals. In some locations, 

 such as Blue Lake in Madison County, larval salamanders never transform, but rather become 

 sexually mature and breed while still retaining external gills. This process is referred to as 

 neoteny and these salamanders are called "axolotls" or "water dogs." 



Status: The most common salamander in eastern Montana. They are likely to occur more 



commonly on the study area and are also known ft-om Pine Butte Swamp Preserve, just to the 

 south. They should be looked for in low elevation ponds and lakes, particularly those without 

 fish and within grassland habitats. This is the first documented record of this species on the 

 LifeCNF. 



Montana Natural Heritage Program rank: G5 S5. 



