Spring salamander
The spring salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus) is an aquatic amphibian known for its vibrant skin colors, which can include shades of red, purple, salmon pink, or orange, adorned with black or brown spots. These slender creatures typically measure between 4.5 to 7.5 inches in length and inhabit cool mountain streams and springs, primarily in eastern Canada and the eastern United States, ranging from Ontario to Tennessee and possibly Alabama. Despite their common name, they are not exclusively purple and are sometimes referred to as northeastern purple salamanders.
As nocturnal hunters, spring salamanders primarily feed on small invertebrates such as slugs, crickets, and worms. They are largely dependent on aquatic environments throughout their lives, unlike some other salamander species that leave the water after their larval stage. Spring salamanders are believed to mate between June and November, laying between 10 and 100 eggs in water, which hatch into purplish larval forms. Over time, these larvae undergo metamorphosis to develop into adult salamanders. With a lifespan of at least 18 years, spring salamanders are not currently considered a threatened species, making them a stable part of their ecosystem.
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Spring salamander
Spring salamanders are not named after the season of the year, spring, but after their watery homes. Spring salamanders live in cool mountain streams and springs. Spring salamanders are sometimes called northeastern purple salamanders, even though they are not always purple. Spring salamanders can be found in the the United States and Canada.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Urodela
Family: Plethodontidae
Genus: Gyrinophilus
Species: Porphyriticus
Spring salamanders have red, purple, salmon pink, or orange smooth, rubbery skin which is spotted with black or brown markings. They have long, slender bodies with thin legs and a wedge-shaped head. Their head shape helps them to push between rocks. Spring salamanders generally grow to be between 4 1/2 and 7 1/2 inches (12 and 19 centimeters) long.
Spring salamanders live in cool mountain streams in eastern Canada and the eastern United States from Ontario south to Tennessee and possibly Alabama.
They are aquatic amphibians. This means they spend almost all of their time in the water. Like other amphibians, spring salamanders are carnivorous, or meat-eating. They feed mainly on slugs, crickets, spiders, worms, and smaller salamanders. Spring salamanders are nocturnal, or awake at night, and hunt at this time. Snakes, larger salamanders, and birds of prey feed on spring salamanders.
Very little is known about the mating habits of spring salamanders. They are believed to mate in June through November. They lay between 10 and 100 eggs in water and the young develop into larval salamanders. When they hatch from their shells, larval spring salamanders are usually a purplish color. This color may fade or change completely by the time these larvae reach adulthood. As these young spring salamanders grow and change, or metamorphose, they take on all of the characteristics of their parents. Unlike some salamanders which leave the water after their larval stage, spring salamanders can live their entire lives in the water.
Spring salamanders have a life span of at least 18 years. They are not a threatened species.
Bibliography
Hebron, Daquan. “ADW: Gyrinophilus Porphyriticus: Information.” Animal Diversity Web, 2022, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Gyrinophilus‗porphyriticus. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
“Spring Salamander: Reptiles & Amphibians: Species Information: Wildlife: Fish & Wildlife.” Maine.gov, 2024, www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/species-information/reptiles-amphibians/spring-salamander.html. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.