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<u>PIONEER PRESS</u> (St Paul, Minnesota) 10 September 06 Spot It Blue Spotted Salamander (Jim Olichwier)
It lives in the forested areas of northeastern and north-central Minnesota, but the blue spotted salamander is rarely seen. This amphibian spends most of its time under the cover of fallen and rotten logs, moss and leaf litter, where the soil is moist and small ponds are nearby. The blue spotted salamander uses whatever cover is available, unlike the tiger salamander, which burrows into the earth.
The blue spotted salamander's diet consists of food found on or just under the forest floor, ranging from earthworms and snails to insects and spiders.
The best time to see the elusive creature is when it is raining and the salamander emerges from its hiding spot. It is also active — and visible — during breeding from late April to early May.
During the breeding season, the male courts the female by lying on top of her and rubbing his snout against her back and head; this often takes place in a pond. Then, fertilized eggs are dropped singly or in small clusters and attached to aquatic plants and submerged logs. It takes the young salamanders about a month to transform into juveniles in the summer.
Both sexes are similar in appearance, growing as large as 5½ inches. Each has four toes on its front feet and five toes on its back feet. Most salamanders are black with light-blue spots on the tail and sides.
When the blue spotted salamander is threatened, it slowly waves its tail back and forth. At other times, it will release a foul substance from the back and tail to ward off predators.
While the blue spotted salamander doesn't have any special conservation status in Minnesota, it is considered endangered in Iowa. It also is found throughout the Great Lakes region as well as the northeastern United States and southern portions of Canada.
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/outdoors/15463413.htm
It lives in the forested areas of northeastern and north-central Minnesota, but the blue spotted salamander is rarely seen. This amphibian spends most of its time under the cover of fallen and rotten logs, moss and leaf litter, where the soil is moist and small ponds are nearby. The blue spotted salamander uses whatever cover is available, unlike the tiger salamander, which burrows into the earth.
The blue spotted salamander's diet consists of food found on or just under the forest floor, ranging from earthworms and snails to insects and spiders.
The best time to see the elusive creature is when it is raining and the salamander emerges from its hiding spot. It is also active — and visible — during breeding from late April to early May.
During the breeding season, the male courts the female by lying on top of her and rubbing his snout against her back and head; this often takes place in a pond. Then, fertilized eggs are dropped singly or in small clusters and attached to aquatic plants and submerged logs. It takes the young salamanders about a month to transform into juveniles in the summer.
Both sexes are similar in appearance, growing as large as 5½ inches. Each has four toes on its front feet and five toes on its back feet. Most salamanders are black with light-blue spots on the tail and sides.
When the blue spotted salamander is threatened, it slowly waves its tail back and forth. At other times, it will release a foul substance from the back and tail to ward off predators.
While the blue spotted salamander doesn't have any special conservation status in Minnesota, it is considered endangered in Iowa. It also is found throughout the Great Lakes region as well as the northeastern United States and southern portions of Canada.
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/outdoors/15463413.htm