Jefferson Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum): Imperiled Amphibian
Did you know?
Photo Credit: Todd Pierson
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
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.
Photo Credit: United States Department of Agriculture
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
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]