Jefferson Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum): Imperiled Amphibian
Did you know?
Jefferson salamanders are a type of mole salamander that can live for up to 30 years! They were named after Jefferson College in Washington County, Pennsylvania, where they were first collected. During the spring Jefferson salamanders typically migrate between 30 and 300 metres to their breeding pools. One of the longest recorded migrations by a
Photo Credit: Todd Pierson Jefferson Salamander was 1.6 kilometers!
Habitat: Damp deciduous forest floors, under logs, rocks or leaf litter
Length: 12 to 20 cm
Diet: Small insects
Status: Endangered in Canada, Threatened in Ontario
Identification
Jefferson salamaders are a large-sized member of the Ambystomatidae family.
Jefferson salamanders have:
A grayish brown colour Speckled blue flecks on their sides and limbs. Long toes A tail that makes up half of their length
The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]
The larval stage of the Jefferson salamander is very similar to the adult stage with the exception that it is entirely aquatic and has external gills and a large fin.
Because of the variability in the amount of blue flecks, the Jefferson can be sometimes confused with the Blue Spotted salamander, with which they often hybridize Photo Credit: United States Department of Agriculture
Jefferson Salamanders on the Bruce Trail
Jefferson salamanders have a limited range in Canada, existing only in deciduous forests at the western edge of Lake Ontario, particularly along the Niagara Escarpment. Although not commonly seen, the best place to find them on the Bruce Trail is between Grimsby and Orangeville. The deep rock fissures of the Escarpment provide a perfect place for Jefferson salamanders to survive in the winter time, below the frost line.
The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]
Map produced by Ontario Nature
Jefferson Salamander Behaviour
Jefferson salamanders are seldom seen, emerging only in early spring when they leave their deep underground burrows to breed. Breeding takes place at night during the first spring rains in March and April. The breeding occurs in small woodland ponds with no fish that are often created by the melting snow. Jefferson salamanders have a keen sense of direction and are known to return to the same pond year after year. On route to these ponds it is common to see Jefferson salamanders "snowshoeing" or walking over the snow.
Because Jefferson Salamanders can breed with Blue Spotted salamanders it is very difficult to tell the difference from a true Jefferson and a hybrid; in fact only a DNA test will determine which is which. Hybrids far outnumber pure Jefferson salamanders and represent 90-95% of local populations. The exact relationship between the breeding of pure Jefferson salamanders and Jefferson-Blue Spotted hybrids is quite complicated and is still undergoing study by biologists.
The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]
To avoid drying out, Jefferson Salamanders migrate in spring before the ice has melted.
Photo Credit: BTC
Jefferson Salamanders as Species at Risk
The Jefferson salamander is a Species at Risk in both Ontario and Canada, being listed as provincially Threatened and federally Endangered. Increased development such as urbanization and resource extraction is the most pressing problem for Jefferson salamander populations and has worked to reduce or fragment the woodlands and breeding ponds that Jefferson salamanders need to survive. Other reasons for their population declines include forestry activities, road mortality, unauthorized collection for the pet trade and introduced species of carnivorous fish to breeding ponds. The Bruce Trail Conservancy is helping to preserve Jefferson salamander habitat by permanently protecting land along the Niagara Escarpment.
Help Protect Jefferson Salamanders
Make sure to preserve salamander habitat on your property including fallen logs and vernal pools.
Be mindful when hiking through Jefferson salamander habitat during the breeding season (March and April).
If you discover a Jefferson salamander, report it to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ontario Nature's Reptile and Amphibian Atlas.
The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]
For more information visit: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Species/2ColumnSubPage/287133.html http://www.ontarionature.org/protect/species/reptiles_and_amphibians/jefferson_sala mander.php http://www.rom.on.ca/ontario/risk.php?doc_type=fact&id=154
The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]